Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Broadcast: Bally Sports Great Lakes, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
Game Overview
The Cleveland Guardians (9-9) travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates (8-12) in the opener of a three-game interleague series. Both teams are looking to gain momentum after inconsistent starts to the season.
The Pirates enter the matchup fresh off a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals, securing a series win. However, their offense has struggled, ranking last in MLB with a .197 team batting average and just 68 runs scored through 21 games. Meanwhile, Cleveland arrives in Pittsburgh after dropping two of three games against the Baltimore Orioles, hoping to bounce back behind their balanced lineup led by José Ramírez (.250, 4 HR, 8 RBI).
This game marks the 55th all-time meeting between these teams, with Pittsburgh holding a 26-28 record in the series.
Projected Starting Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Guardians | Luis Ortiz (RHP) | 1-2 | 6.06 | 1.45 | 15 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Carmen Mlodzinski (RHP) | 1-2 | 6.23 | 1.50 | 14 |
Luis Ortiz (Guardians)
Ortiz has struggled early in the season, posting a 6.06 ERA across 16.1 innings. However, he is coming off a solid outing against the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed just one earned run over 5.2 innings. This will be Ortiz’s first career start against the Pirates, and he’ll look to take advantage of Pittsburgh’s struggling offense.
Carmen Mlodzinski (Pirates)
Mlodzinski has had a rough start to 2025, carrying a 6.23 ERA into this matchup. His last outing saw him surrender four runs in 4.1 innings, and he’ll need to improve his command against Cleveland’s lineup.
Key Players to Watch
Cleveland Guardians
- José Ramírez (3B): The Guardians’ star third baseman leads the team with four home runs and eight RBIs.
- Steven Kwan (OF): Batting .285, providing consistency at the top of the lineup.
- Carlos Santana (1B): Veteran presence with three home runs and a .248 batting average.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Bryan Reynolds (OF): Leads the Pirates with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
- Oneil Cruz (SS): A dynamic player with three stolen bases and a .240 batting average.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B): Defensive standout looking to improve his offensive production.
Game Strategy & Key Factors
Cleveland Guardians
- Ortiz must limit walks: His 1.45 WHIP suggests control issues, which could be costly.
- Exploit Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles: The Pirates rank 29th in MLB in batting average (.197).
- Ramírez’s impact: If he gets hot, Cleveland’s offense could overwhelm Pittsburgh’s pitching.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Mlodzinski’s command: He must avoid early trouble against Cleveland’s disciplined hitters.
- Capitalize on home-field advantage: The Pirates need to use PNC Park’s dimensions to their benefit.
- Break out of offensive slump: Pittsburgh has lost five games by two runs or fewer, showing they need clutch hitting.
Cleveland Guardians – 130
Pittsburgh Pirates 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 17, 2025
