- Game: Kansas City Royals vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: Kansas City (+106) Pittsburgh (-128)
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PNC Park will host an exciting matchup as the Pittsburgh Pirates (76-77) face off against the Kansas City Royals (67-86) on Sunday. The moneyline for this game has the Royals at +106, while the Pirates are set at -128. The total runs expected in the game are 8. The starting pitchers for this matchup are Michael Wacha and Bubba Chandler.
The Kansas City Royals have struggled offensively, averaging 4.2 runs per game, ranking them 24th in the league. To date, they have compiled 643 runs scored with a team on-base percentage of .314. The Royals have hit 273 doubles and launched 158 home runs this season, bringing in 611 RBIs. Their overall batting average stands at .244, and they have tallied 1,251 hits. This season, Kansas City has a slugging percentage of .397 and has struck out 1,198 times while earning 492 walks.
Kansas City’s pitching staff has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.05 and a team WHIP of 1.39. The Royals pitchers have allowed 190 home runs and a total of 740 runs (25th in the league). They have surrendered 1,326 hits this season (8.9 per 9 innings) and 692 earned runs, leading to an earned run average of 4.63 (25th in the league). The staff has struck out 1,107 batters, issued 541 walks, and has a FIP of 4.63 for the season.
Throughout the year, Royals pitchers have faced runners on base 108 times and have had 149 high-leverage appearances. Their bullpen has recorded 79 holds (19th in the league) and boasts a save percentage of 60.0%. In 142 save opportunities, Royals relievers have converted 36 saves but have missed 24 chances. Their bullpen has inherited 155 base runners this season, with 40.0% scoring. The Royals have utilized 498 relief pitchers throughout the year.
Defensively, Kansas City has converted 69.8% of balls put in play into outs across 12,117 innings, placing them 14th in the majors. The Royals have recorded 4,039 putouts, 1,388 assists, and made 67 errors, achieving a fielding percentage of .988, ranking 7th overall, while turning 135 double plays.
Michael Wacha, with a career total of 1,815 innings pitched and 1,565 strikeouts, holds a career win-loss record of 120-84. He has an FIP of 3.77 and has faced 7,606 batters, allowing 773 earned runs for a 3.83 ERA and a WHIP of 1.257. Wacha has given up 1,729 hits (8.6 hits per nine innings) and issued 552 walks.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates maintain a team slugging percentage of .402 and average 4.77 runs per game, placing them 5th in the MLB. They have recorded 229 doubles and issued 541 walks, accounting for 730 total runs. The Pirates have hit 175 home runs this season, contributing to a total of 697 RBIs. They have faced 1,429 strikeouts (4th in the league) and have amassed 1,331 hits, resulting in an on-base percentage of .330 and a team batting average of .253 this season.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a WHIP of 1.304 and a FIP of 3.85. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 9.20 (1,398 strikeouts to 558 walks). They rank 12th in the league for total hits allowed with 1,222, having surrendered 146 home runs, while yielding 4.65 runs per nine innings (20th in the league). The Pirates have allowed a total of 706 runs this season with an ERA of 4.19 (635 earned runs).
With a 59.3% save percentage, Pittsburgh has put 498 relief pitchers on the mound this year. Their bullpen has entered 146 high-leverage situations and faced runners on base 128 times. The Pirates have recorded 73 holds and 24 blown saves out of 134 save situations, achieving 35 saves in 59 chances. Pittsburgh relievers have an inherited score percentage of 32.4% out of 188 inherited base runners.
Defensively, the Pirates have turned 124 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .983 (26th in professional baseball), with 1,214 assists, 93 errors, and 4,096 putouts this season. Their defensive efficiency stands at 69.0% over 12,288 innings played, ranking 25th in the league.
Bubba Chandler, with a career win-loss record of 12-10, holds a 4.24 ERA, allowing 7.5 hits per nine innings. His K/BB ratio is 2.06, having faced 760 hitters in his professional career. Chandler has allowed 84 earned runs, maintaining a WHIP of 1.279 and a FIP of 4.2. During his time in the league, he has surrendered 149 hits while tallying 163 strikeouts across 178 innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or the moneyline?
Pick: Bet on Kansas City (+106)
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