Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Diego Padres Prediction 5/30/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Padres prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 30, at PETCO Park in San Diego, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates (21-36, 8-20 Away) are playing their best baseball of the season as they recorded three consecutive series wins, defeating the Reds, Brewers, and Diamondbacks. Despite losing Game 1 to Arizona without scoring a single run, the Pirates won that series thanks to 9-6 and 10-1 wins. That’s the first time this year the Pirates scored double-digit runs. Oneil Cruz led the offense with three RBI, while Paul Skenes got the win after allowing no runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks across 6.2 innings of work.

This season, the Pirates average 3.21 runs per game (29th in the MLB) on a .226/.306/.337 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Pirates’ staff has a 3.99 ERA (19th) and 1.26 WHIP (15th). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with a .222 batting average, seven home runs, and 31 RBI this season.

Mitch Keller will take the mound for the Pirates on Friday. The 29-year-old left-hander has a 1-6 record in 11 starts this year with a 3.66 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 64.0 innings.

San Diego Padres Betting Preview

The San Diego Padres (31-23, 18-9 Home) went through their worst period of the season, during which they lost six games in a row. The Padres bounced back with series wins against the Braves and Marlins. San Diego was close to sweeping Miami, but fell short 10-8 in Game 3. Gavin Sheets led the team with three RBI, while Kyle Hart pitched for 4.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing five runs on six hits with one strikeout and no walks. Jason Adam took the loss.

This year, the Padres average 4.31 runs per game (15th in the MLB) on a .253/.319/.391 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Padres’ staff has a 3.61 ERA (10th) and 1.20 WHIP (11th). Gavin Sheets leads the Padres with a .275 batting average, 11 home runs, and 34 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Padres is Nick Pivetta, who is 5-2 in ten starts this season, with a 2.72 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 56.1 innings.

Total Runs Facts

• Four of the Padres’ last five games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Three of the Pirates’ last four night games against NL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Padres’ last six Friday night games against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Pirates’ last 12 games as road underdogs against NL West opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Padres rank 5th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.227).
• The Padres rank 8th in the league for batting average this season (.253).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for home runs this season (40).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for RBIs this season (177).

Pirates vs Padres Prediction

The Padres won nine of the previous ten H2H encounters, and are on a nine-game winning streak against Pittsburgh. San Diego already swept the Pirates in a three-game series in Pittsburgh this season, and although I’m leaning toward the Padres here, I’ll opt for the Under instead. Mitch Keller registered four straight quality starts and has a 3.30 ERA in May. Nick Pivetta, on the other hand, responded to a bad display against the Rockies with back-to-back quality starts, during which he allowed just two runs. Pivetta allowed a .158 BA in 57 at-bats against Pittsburgh. I am going with Under.