Cleveland Guardians vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/19/25

It is Skenes day as we head to the Steel City for a Cleveland Guardians vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction. The Guardians took the win on Friday, 10-7, in an offensive explosion for both teams. Both teams are averaging well below 4 runs per game this season so far, and I expect Saturday will see a regression back toward those averages. Between Skenes starting and the Cleveland bullpen finishing, combined with two struggling offenses, runs could come at a premium. It is also a bit rainy on Saturday, and even if the weather clears, the air will be heavy. You probably wouldn’t go wrong betting the under in these circumstances, but I am also a sucker for a good plus money bet that has a chance. I see a chance here, and my Guardians vs Pirates pick is the Guardians to win the game.

So let’s make the case. Paul Skenes is pitching, and it is Skenes bobblehead night at the park. That’s fun. But this will also be the first time in his big league career that he will pitch on just 4 days’ rest. He’s a big strong boy, and maybe that doesn’t matter; but then again, maybe it does, and maybe he checks out after 5 or even 6 innings. If you tell me that I have 3 innings against the Pittsburgh bullpen, I’ll take my chances. Add to that that Cleveland at least has several lefties to stack up against Skenes (as if it matters against his killer stuff), and those guys work counts and put the ball in play. Finally, for Cleveland to lose, Pittsburgh has to score, and if they don’t do it early, they certainly won’t do it late against the Guards’ bullpen. Who knows, maybe Skenes blows their doors off, but I can see a path, and at +150, I’ll roll the dice.

Guardians vs Pirates Prediction: Guardians ML (+150) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.