Twins vs Pirates Prediction 5/29/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Twins vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 29th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Minnesota Twins Betting Preview

The Minnesota Twins are 27-30 this season after they lost three out of four against the White Sox by scores of 1-3, 5-3, 2-15, and 2-6. In game four, Minnesota allowed the first six runs in the game and never had a chance in the loss. The Twins recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Caratini, who went 1-3 with one RBI. Woods Richardson allowed five hits and five earned runs over 2.2 innings for the loss, while Gomez allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Minnesota swept the Red Sox in three games and won two out of three against the Astros. 

This season, Minnesota has a 4.35 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 258 runs with a .234 batting average and a .317 on base percentage. Byron Buxton has led the Twins with 17 home runs and 27 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added five home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Taj Bradley, who is 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 52.0 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 29-28 this year after they split four games with the Cubs by scores of 2-1, 12-1, 4-10, and 2-7. In game four, Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth inning, but they allowed the last four runs in the lopsided loss. The Pirates recorded six hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Reynolds, who went 2-3 with one home run and one RBI. Skenes allowed four hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Bidois allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Blue Jays, but did win two out of three against the Cardinals before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.81 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .227 opponent batting average, while they have scored 276 runs with a .251 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs, while Oneil Cruz has added 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Jared Jones, who is making his first appearance of the year due to injury.  

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Twins have lost each of their last seven Friday night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have won each of their last four home games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven games against American League opponents following a home loss.
• The Twins have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs following a road loss.
• The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four home games against American League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven Friday night games as favorites.

Why the Minnesota Twins will win

• The underdogs have won each of the last four games between the Twins and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last five games as home favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in eight of the last nine games between the Twins and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as home favorites against AL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Twins have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Twins’ last eight night games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Pirates’ last six games as favorites against the Twins have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last six games as road underdogs.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the last seven games between the Twins and Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five games as favorites against AL opponents.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded two or more hits in each of the Pirates’ last four games as favorites.
• Oneil Cruz is one of only three players to record 10+ Home Runs and 10+ Stolen Bases this season.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

• Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in each of the Twins’ last three games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Byron Buxton has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances with the Twins as underdogs.
• Byron Buxton ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.579) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 4th in the league for batting average this season (.252).
• The Pirates are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
• The Twins rank 24th in the league for runs allowed this season (265).
• The Twins rank T8th in the league for runs scored this season (256).

Twins vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh is coming off of two ugly losses to the Cubs, but they have won three of their last five games. The Pirates are 15-15 at home this year, while the Twins are 12-16 on the road. Minnesota has dropped three of their last four games and they have scored two runs or fewer in all three of those losses. The Twins are starting Bradley, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Jones is finally making his first appearance this year. I think runs could be tough to come by in this game, so I like the under here.

David Racey's Pick: Under 8