Oakland Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 9/21/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate an Athletics vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 21th at the PNC Park in the third game of this series, with both teams being tied 1-1 wins. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 66-89 record this season and are sitting on the last place of the NL Central. They have a 43-37 home record, and are 61-89 in over/under. They are coming off a 2-0 home victory over the A’s, that ended their five-game losing streak. Under is 9-3 in their last 12 games are playing the Reds and the Braves next.

The Pirates have a .230 batting average this season, .304 OBP and .347 slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 137 hits, and a team-high 73 RBI. He is also the team’s best hitter with a .243 batting average, while Oneil Cruz leads the team in home runs, with 19.

Mike Burrows (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 2-4 record, 4.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.

Athletics Preview

The Athletics have a 73-82 record this season and are sitting on the last place of the AL West. The Athletics have a 40-40 road record and are 75-73 in over/under. They are coming off a 0-2 road defeat by the Pirates, that ended their four-game winning streak. Under is 9-3 in their last 12 games and are playing the Astros and the Royals next.

The Athletics have a .253 batting average this season, .319 OBP and .433 Slugging percentage. Athletics’ pitching staff has a 4.68 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Brent Rooker leads the Athletics with 160 hits, while Jacob Wilson is the team’s best hitter with a .318 batting average. Tyler Soderstrom adds a team-high 90 RBI, while Nick Kurtz adds a team-high 33 home runs. 

Mitch Spence (R) is the projected starter for the Athletics, and he has a 3-5 record, 4.48 ERA, and 1.33 WHIP.

Athletics @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: September 21, 2025

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Mike Burrows      Record this season: 2-4      ERA: 4.10
• Home Record: 2-3
• Last 5 against Athletics: –

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last eight day games at PNC Park following a win.
• The Athletics have lost five of their last six road games against National League opponents following a road loss.
• The Athletics have failed to cover the run line each of their last eight Sunday games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Athletics have lost the first inning in each of their last five Sunday games.
• The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games.
• The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six Sunday games against opponents that held a losing record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Mitch Spence      Record this season: 3-5      ERA: 4.48
• Road Record: 2-2
• Last 5 against Pirates: 1-0

Why the Athletics will win

• The Athletics have won each of their last eight games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents following a win.
• The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last nine games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
• The Athletics have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last six games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Athletics’ last five day games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against AL West opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Athletics’ last four day games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Jared Triolo has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as home favorites.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in three of the Pirates’ last four home games against AL opponents.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 Sunday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz ranks 4th in the league in Steals (38) this season.

Athletics Player Prop Facts

• Nick Kurtz has hit a home run in three of the Athletics’ last four games against NL opponents.
• Brent Rooker has recorded a Double in four of the Athletics’ last five day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Brent Rooker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last 11 games as underdogs against NL opponents.
• Jacob Wilson ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.318) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (550).
• The Pirates rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (110).
• The Athletics rank T2nd in the league for doubles this season (280).
• The Athletics rank 29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (215).

Athletics vs Pirates Prediction

The A’s are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings against the Pirates, and are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh. Under is 7-2-3 in their last 12 meetings.

In this Athletics vs Pirates Prediction, the Pirates are coming as -115 home favorites. Both starting pitchers are coming into this matchup in completely opposite forms, as Burrows for the Pirates has one earned runs or less in three of his last four starts. On the flip side, Spence has been torched lately for the A’s, with 18 earned runs across his last four starts. The Pirates have a better bullpen to back Burrows, and I expect them to get away with another home win in this one.