Athletics vs Pirates Prediction 9/20/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate an Athletics vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, September 20th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Athletics Betting Preview

The Athletics are 73-81 this year after they won game one by a score of 4-3 on Friday. The Athletics trailed 3-0 early in the game, but they scored the last four runs to escape with the victory. The Athletics recorded four hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Butler, who went 1-3 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. The A’s started Severino, who allowed seven hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the win, while Kelly got the save. 

Prior to this series, the Athletics won two out of three against the Red Sox and swept the Reds in three games. The Athletics have won seven of their last eight games and they are fourth in the AL West standings. The Athletics pitching staff has a 4.69 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a .252 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 709 runs with a .254 batting average and a .320 on base percentage this season. Brent Rooker has led the Athletics with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, while Nick Kurtz has added 33 home runs and 81 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for the Athletics is Luis Morales, who is 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 38.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 65-89 this season after they lost game one by a score of 4-3 on Friday. Pittsburgh scored three runs in the first inning, but went scoreless over the last eight innings for the loss. The Pirates recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by Reynolds, Horwitz, and Gonzales, who all had one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Keller, who allowed four hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while four pitchers combined to finish the last four innings. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three against the Cubs and two out of three against the Nationals. Pittsburgh has lost 12 of their last 13 games and they are last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.88 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 548 runs with a .230 batting average and a .305 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 15 home runs and 72 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 20.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Athletics will beat the Pirates

The Pirates have lost each of their last seven home games.
The Athletics have won seven of their last eight games.
The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last nine Saturday road games.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
The Athletics have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games at PNC Park.
The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six home games.

Total Runs Facts

Each of the Pirates’ last five games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Athletics’ last six night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the last nine night games between the Athletics and Pirates.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Athletics’ last four games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

Jared Triolo has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in five of the Pirates’ last six games against AL opponents at PNC Park.
Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last eight appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.

Athletics Player Prop Facts

Nick Kurtz has hit a home run in four of the Athletics’ last five games against NL Central opponents.
JJ Bleday has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Athletics vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh’s offense let them down once again on Friday night and they are really struggling right now, as they try to just get to the end of the season. The Pirates are 42-37 at home this year, while the Athletics are 40-39 on the road. The A’s have won seven of their last eight games and they are starting Morales, who has allowed eight earned runs and 11 hits in his last 9.2 innings. The Pirates are going with Chandler, who has been a decent pitcher, but did allow nine earned runs two starts ago. I don’t necessarily trust either starter, but I think Morales has more upside and the A’s are hot.