On the evening of August 31, 2024, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to challenge the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM. The anticipated weather conditions for the game day will play a crucial role in the matchup.

Luis L. Ortiz will be the starting pitcher for the Pirates, entering the game with a commendable ERA of 3.364. His counterpart from the Cleveland Guardians will be Matthew Boyd, who boasts an impressive ERA of 2.700.

Examining the 2024 season standings in the NL Central, the Pirates find themselves in the 12th position with a 62-72 record, reflecting a .46 winning rate. They’ve secured 20 wins in the division against 19 losses, ranking 5th in the NL Central. Their recent performance includes 4 wins in the last 10 games, although they’re currently navigating through a 4-game losing streak. The Pirates’ home and away records are 32-36 and 30-36, respectively. They’ve managed 30 victories in day games versus 32 in night encounters, having scored a total of 568 runs and conceded 616.

Over in the AL Central, the Cleveland Guardians hold the 3rd spot with a record of 77-58, translating to a .57 win rate. They lead the division with a 22-20 record in divisional games. Their recent form mirrors that of the Pirates with 4 wins out of the last 10 contests, but with a current streak of 2 consecutive victories. The Guardians have shown strength at home with a 42-24 tally and a nearly even 35-34 record on the road. Comparatively, they have won 31 day games against 46 in night games. Their offense has succeeded in racking up 618 runs, while their defense has let through 548.