Twins vs Pirates Prediction 5/31/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Twins vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, May 31st 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 27-32 this year after they lost the first two games by scores of 5-6 and 9-10. In game two, Minnesota cut the deficit to 10-9 in the eighth inning, but couldn’t find the tying run for the loss. The Twins recorded 12 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Bell, who went 1-5 with three RBIs. Ober allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs over 4.2 innings for the loss, while Funderburk allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Minnesota lost three out of four against the White Sox, but did win all three against the Red Sox before that. 

This season, Minnesota has a 4.47 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while they have scored 272 runs with a .236 batting average and a .318 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 32 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Zebby Matthews, who is 1-2 with a 2.37 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP over 19.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 31-28 this season after they won game two by a score of 10-9 on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh blew a 7-1 lead in the middle innings, but they answered with the next three runs and hung on for the win. The Pirates recorded 15 hits in the game and they were led by Cruz, who went 1-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Keller allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Ramirez picked up the win and Soto got the save. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh split four games with the Cubs and lost two out of three against the Blue Jays. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.92 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .229 opponent batting average, while they have scored 292 runs with a .253 batting average and a .335 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs, while Oneil Cruz has added 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 68.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last six games at PNC Park against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Twins have lost eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 13 of their last 17 home games against American League opponents.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in five of their last six home games against American League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last five home games against AL Central opponents.
• The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games as road underdogs.

Why the Minnesota Twins will win

• The Pirates have lost three of their last four games as favorites against AL Central opponents following a home win.
• The underdogs have won four of the last six games between the Twins and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Twins have covered the run line in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Pirates.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last six games at PNC Park against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Twins have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Twins’ last six day games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight 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 eight games as road underdogs.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Pirates’ last 10 games against American League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of the Pirates’ last three games against AL opponents.
• Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a favorite against AL opponents.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

• Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in three of the Twins’ last five road games against NL Central opponents.
• Byron Buxton has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.

Twins vs Pirates Prediction

Pittsburgh has picked up two very exciting wins to start this series and they will look to complete the sweep here. The Pirates are 17-15 at home this year, while the Twins are 12-18 on the road. Minnesota has lost four in a row and they have allowed 37 runs during that span. The Twins are starting Matthews, who has allowed five earned runs in his 19.0 innings, while Ashcraft has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five outings. Take the Pirates -1.5 here, as Ashcraft has been very good recently.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1.5