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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers July 21st 2025
The Detroit Tigers will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, July 21, 2025. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM and will be broadcast on FDSDE. Fans can expect a warm night with a light breeze and broken clouds overhead.
Detroit comes into this game with a strong 60-40 record, led by manager A.J. Hinch. Their road record stands at 28-22. Meanwhile, the Pirates, managed by Don Kelly, have a 39-61 record. They have been more successful at home with a 26-24 record. Jack Flaherty will start for the Tigers, while Paul Skenes takes the mound for the Pirates.
Tigers vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
- Betting Odds: Tigers Moneyline +104, Pirates Moneyline -123, Tigers Runline +1.5 (-218), Pirates Runline -1.5 (+181), Total Over 7.0 (-108), Total Under 7.0 (-112)
The Tigers Can Win If…
The Detroit Tigers head into their next game with momentum from a recent win against the Texas Rangers. They secured a 2-1 victory, showcasing strong pitching and timely hitting. Tarik Skubal was outstanding, pitching 6 2/3 innings and striking out 11 batters. Gleyber Torres led the offense with three hits, helping the Tigers to a needed win.
The Tigers’ pitching staff has been solid this season. They hold an earned run average (ERA) of 3.70, ranking 8th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents to a .236 batting average against shows their pitching can keep them competitive. With 853 strikeouts, the staff can overpower hitters and control the game.
Offensively, the Tigers have some key players to watch. Spencer Torkelson leads the team with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs, providing power in the lineup. Gleyber Torres and Zach McKinstry add depth with their batting averages of .282 and .279, respectively. This combination of pitching and hitting gives the Tigers a strong chance to win their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to bounce back after a 7-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. In their recent game, Andrew McCutchen and Nick Gonzales both hit doubles, showing their ability to find gaps in the defense. Despite the loss, these performances can spark the Pirates’ offense in their next game against the Detroit Tigers.
The Pirates have a strong chance to win with Paul Skenes on the mound. He has an impressive ERA of 2.01 and a WHIP of 0.93, making him a tough pitcher for opponents to face. His ability to keep batters off balance could be key in shutting down the Tigers’ lineup.
The Pirates’ lineup also has potential to produce runs. Players like Nick Gonzales, who is hitting .275, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, with a .276 average, can get on base and create scoring opportunities. With their speed and ability to steal bases, the Pirates can put pressure on the Tigers’ defense and turn those chances into runs.
The Lean
The Pirates have a moneyline of -123, while the Tigers are at +104. Based on the stats, the Pirates have a better batting average and on-base percentage. The recommendation is to pick the Pirates to win the game. The model projects a score of Pirates 4, Tigers 3.
The total for the game is set at 7.0. The Tigers have a higher slugging percentage, but both teams have solid pitching. The model predicts a total score of 7, matching the line. The recommendation is to take the under at 7.0 (-112), as the teams’ pitching might keep the score low.
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Paul Skenes Looks to Stop Pirates’ Slide Against MLB-Best Tigers
The Pittsburgh Pirates will lean on ace Paul Skenes to snap their worst skid of the season when they host the Detroit Tigers on Monday night. While the Pirates have dropped 11 of their last 12 games, Detroit arrives with the best record in the majors (60 wins) but has also shown signs of vulnerability.
Want the sharpest edge for tonight’s matchup? Check out the latest MLB expert picks before first pitch.
Skenes Still Dealing, But Pirates Can’t Back Him
Skenes (4-8, 2.01 ERA) continues to pitch like a Cy Young contender despite the Pirates’ struggles. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star has 131 strikeouts in 121 innings and pitched a scoreless first inning for the NL in last week’s Midsummer Classic—striking out Tigers All-Stars Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene.
Yet, run support has been nonexistent for the 22-year-old. According to Screwball.AI, Skenes is tied with teammate Mitch Keller for the lowest run support in the NL at just 2.54 runs per game.
“That’s why we’re doing these shorter starts—hopefully to set me up well to come out strong in the second half and continue to take on volume,” Skenes said after his most recent outing, a five-inning, two-run effort in a 2-1 loss to Minnesota.
The Pirates have lost three straight since the break and are struggling to find any spark offensively, making Skenes’ margin for error razor-thin.
Looking to back Skenes despite the lack of support? Check out our MLB Picks and Predictions for smarter betting insights.
Tigers Still MLB’s Best, But Searching for Offense
Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak Sunday with a 2-1 win at Texas, salvaging their series behind another stellar outing from Tarik Skubal. But the Tigers’ bats have gone quiet, scoring only three total runs across the three-game set.
They’ll turn to Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.65 ERA), who has been dominant historically against Pittsburgh. In 16 career starts against the Pirates, Flaherty is 10-1 with a 2.75 ERA, most of that success coming during his years with the Cardinals.
“You kind of stumble into the (All-Star) break a bit,” Flaherty said after a no-decision against Seattle. “Myself, I could have thrown a bit better in the first half, but you wipe the slate clean and move forward.”
Detroit’s lineup could also be shorthanded as Javier Baez exited Sunday’s game in the sixth inning. Manager A.J. Hinch didn’t reveal details but said Baez “wasn’t feeling right.”
Want to profit on Detroit’s pitching edge? See how our expert betting guide breaks down this matchup.
With Skenes aiming to dominate but starved for run support, and the Tigers’ bats still looking to wake up, Monday’s opener sets up as a tight, low-scoring duel. Will the Pirates finally give their ace some help, or will Detroit’s dominance over Pittsburgh continue? Get the latest projections and best bets with our updated MLB Predictions and Picks.
