Kansas City Royals vs Pittsburgh Pirates | September 18, 2026

Final September 18, 2026 • PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Kansas City Royals

67-87

👑 Pittsburgh Pirates

77-77

MLB PREVIEW • September 18, 2026 Featured Matchup

MLB Matchup: Kansas City Royals (67-87) travels to play Pittsburgh Pirates (77-77) at PNC Park, Pittsburgh.

Kansas City Royals

Visiting Side

Record 67-87

Pittsburgh Pirates

Home Side

Record 77-77

Scoring

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	H	E
KAN	1	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	8	2
PIT	0	0	2	2	1	0	3	0	~	8	15	0

Team Matchup Analysis Tale of the Tape

Circled Game Matchup Projection

Kansas City Royals

👑

94%

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Score KAN 4.1 - PIT 5.1

Data Confidence High

Data Used 5 of 6 categories

Pittsburgh Pirates has a stronger overall season performance.
Pittsburgh Pirates has a stronger home record.
Pittsburgh Pirates boasts a more productive batting lineup.

Kansas City Royals

STAT

Pittsburgh Pirates

43.2% Win % 50.3%

67-88 Overall Record 78-77

39-36 Home Record 41-36

28-52 Away Record 37-41

4.21 Runs / G 4.80

.245 Team BA .254

.713 Team OPS .737

4.66 Team ERA 4.20

1.39 WHIP 1.30

5195 AB (At Bats) 5326

653 R (Runs) 744

1272 H (Hits) 1355

275 2B (Doubles) 236

19 3B (Triples) 15

161 HR (Home Runs) 179

621 RBI (Runs Batted In) 711

2068 TB (Total Bases) 2158

496 BB (Walks) 546

1221 SO (Strikeouts) 1443

126 SB (Stolen Bases) 128

.245 AVG .254

.315 OBP .331

.398 SLG .405

.713 OPS .737

669.0 RC (Runs Created) 729.5

.085 BB/PA .091

0.41 BB/K 0.38

3.81 P/PA 3.90

455 XBH (Extra Base Hits) 430

5819 PA (Plate Appearances) 6004

32.3 AB/HR 29.8

4.66 ERA 4.20

1.39 WHIP 1.30

1362.1 IP (Innings) 1383.1

1350 H (Hits Allowed) 1243

706 ER (Earned Runs) 645

194 HR (HR Allowed) 149

546 BB (Walks Allowed) 562

1121 K (Strikeouts) 1421

7.4 K/9 (K Per 9) 9.2

67 W (Wins) 78

88 L (Losses) 77

36 SV (Saves) 37

0.987 FP (Fielding %) 0.983

70 E (Errors) 94

275 DP (Double Plays) 236

5563 TC (Total Chances) 5471

4087 PO (Putouts) 4150

1406 A (Assists) 1227

36.3 RF (Range Factor) 35.0

Situational Context Environment

Venue Advantage Host Pittsburgh Pirates plays on familiar turf at PNC Park, Pittsburgh.

Conditions Conditions: Dome/Indoor

🎯

Circled Game Takeaway

Circled Game Analytical Outlook

Why Kansas City Royals Could Win

Kansas City Royals brings a Team ERA of 4.66 and Batting Average of .245 into the matchup.

Why Pittsburgh Pirates Could Win

Pittsburgh Pirates counters with a Team ERA of 4.20 and Batting Average of .254.

Deciding Factor

The deciding factor will be if Pittsburgh Pirates's superior pitching can dominate the matchup.

Game Details

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Dome/Indoor

Attendance

25,424

Closing Odds

Line: PIT -193 | O/U: 8.5

Pitching & Leaders

Away Starter

Randy Dobnak

Home Starter

Paul Skenes

Consensus Pool

Circle Crowd Pick Meter

Closed Poll

Kansas City Royals (50.9%) Pittsburgh Pirates (49.1%)

Total Submissions: 57 circles

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