| MATCHUP | Los Angeles Angels | Pittsburgh Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 53-88 | 70-72 |
| Spread | +1.5 -149 | -1.5 123 |
| Moneyline | +152 | -184 |
| Total | Over 8 (-102) | Under 8 (-119) |
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:40 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Angels are 53-88 on the year and play the Nationals and Red Sox next. The Los Angeles Angels are batting .233 on the season, have a .308 OBP, and have a .369 slugging percentage. The Los Angeles Angels’ pitching staff has a 4.25 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Zach Neto leads the Los Angeles Angels with 127 hits and 66 RBI, while Mike Trout and Nolan Schanuel have combined for 214 hits and 99 RBI.
Yusei Kikuchi gets the ball for the Los Angeles Angels, and he is 0-5 with a 5.65 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season. Kikuchi is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 70-72 this year and play the Cubs and White Sox next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .253 on the season, with a .331 OBP and a .402 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.19 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 153 hits and 59 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 271 hits and 149 RBI.
Braxton Ashcraft gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 14-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 164 strikeouts this season. This will be Ashcraft’s first career game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Angels have lost 10 of their last 11 games.
- The Pirates have won 10 of their last 11 games at PNC Park against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- The Angels have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six Saturday games against NL opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in five of their last six games against AL West opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Los Angeles Angels will win
- The Angels have won three of their last four games as road underdogs following a road loss.
- The Pirates have lost 13 of their last 16 night games at PNC Park following a home win.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last six games between the Angels and Pirates.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Angels’ last nine night games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Pirates’ last five home games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four games between the Angels and Pirates at PNC Park.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in four of the Angels’ last five games against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine home appearances against AL West opponents.
- Braxton Ashcraft has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a win in each of his last five appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in four of his last seven appearances at PNC Park against AL opponents that held a losing record.
Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts
- Yusei Kikuchi has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances against NL opponents.
- Vaughn Grissom has hit a home run in two of the Angels’ last three night games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Vaughn Grissom has recorded at least one hit in each of the Angels’ last six night games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m not running to the window to back the Pirates at this price, but I’ll lay the RL if forced to pick. Kikuchi has been a mess this season through 43 innings with a 5.65 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Ashcraft has been a bright spot for the Pirates with a 3.59 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, and he’s allowed 23 hits and 9 earned runs in his last 38 innings. The Pirates are 11-2 in Ashcraft’s last 13 games. Clear edge on the mound, and that’s rare for either of these teams. Give me the Pirates and the RL for max betting value.