The Athletics will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday night. Both teams enter this matchup with similar records and both have been eliminated from playoff contention. Still, one team has to win this game and I will let you know which team I think that will be as I make my Athletics vs Pirates prediction for Friday night.
Our Athletics vs Pirates Pick
- Pick: Pirates to win
- Confidence: 3/5
- Get Your Bonus Bets: Bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets INSTANTLY using our DraftKings Sportsbook bonus. Click the Claim Bonus button below to start!
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+ 
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date & Time: Friday, September 19, 2025, 6:40 p.m. ET
- Starting Pitchers: Luis Severino (Athletics) vs Mitch Keller (Pirates)
- Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet PT and NBCS-CA
Key Storylines
Pitching matchup
The Athletics will send Luis Severino to the mound. Severino has a 6-11 record with a 4.82 ERA this season. In his last three starts, he has shown inconsistency. He had a no-decision against the Reds after allowing five runs in five innings, a loss to the Angels where he gave up three runs in five innings, and a no-decision against the Cardinals where he pitched five innings without allowing an earned run.
Opposing Severino is Mitch Keller for the Pirates. Keller has a 6-14 record with a 4.13 ERA. His recent performances have been solid, including a no-decision against the Nationals where he allowed two runs in five innings, a loss to the Brewers, where he gave up two runs in six innings, and a loss to the Red Sox where he allowed five runs in five innings. Despite the losses, Keller has kept his team in games and has the potential to deliver a quality start.
Recent team streaks
The Athletics have shown resilience despite being knocked out of the postseason. They most recently won two out of three games against the Boston Red Sox. The Pirates have struggled this season with a 65-88 record. They have lost four games in a row after being swept over three games by the Chicago Cubs in their latest series.
Best Player Props
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Brent Rooker | Over 0.5 Home Runs |
| Nick Kurtz | Over 1.5 Total Bases |
| Oneil Cruz | Over 0.5 Home Runs |
| Bryan Reynolds | Over 0.5 RBI |
Betting Trends & H2H
- This is the first game between these teams this season.
- The Athletics are 39-39 on the road for the season.
- The Pirates are 42-36 at home in 2025.
- Pittsburgh is 15-30 in interleague play so far this season.
- The A’s are 19-26 in interleague competition for the year.
Athletics vs Pirates Model Projection
- Score Projection: Athletics 4 – Pirates 5
- Win Probability: Athletics 48%, Pirates 52%
Final Thoughts
While both teams have had their struggles this season, the Pirates’ home-field advantage and Mitch Keller’s recent performances give them a slight edge in this matchup. The Athletics will need a strong outing from Luis Severino and timely hitting from their key players to secure a win. Bettors should consider the Pirates to win, but with a close game expected in this interleague series opener.
