The Athletics will head into PNC Park on Saturday to face the Pittsburgh Pirates. The A’s are 73-81 after a strong stretch, while the Pirates sit at 65-89, officially eliminated from postseason contention. This game is a pick ’em according to oddsmakers and a close game is expected between these interleague opponents. Here, I break down this contest in the betting markets and make my Athletics vs Pirates prediction for the day.
Our Athletics vs Pirates Pick
- Pick: Athletics ML
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 6:40 PM ET
- Starting Pitchers: Luis Morales (Athletics) vs Bubba Chandler (Pirates)
- Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: MLB.TV
Key Storylines
- Athletics’ recent run: The Athletics are winners of six of their last seven, including a sweep of Cincinnati and a strong showing in Boston. Their offense has been doing better and their rotation has delivered solid starts of late.
- Pittsburgh struggles: The Pirates are mired in a long losing streak going into this game. Their offense ranks among the lowest in runs scored and home runs. They are trying to finish the season respectably, but consistency has been elusive.
Pitching matchup
Luis Morales comes in having posted a 3.08 ERA for the season. He has solid command, with a WHIP near 1.11, and has shown the ability to limit damage. Bubba Chandler’s 5.66 ERA suggests the Pirates may struggle to contain the Athletics’ offense. Morales has had more reliable recent starts, making him the more trustworthy starter in this pairing.
Recent team streaks
- The Athletics have won two straight games and six of their last seven.
- The Pirates are in the midst of a five-game losing streak entering tonight.
- Athletics have won their last five against Pittsburgh.
Best Player Props
| Player | Prop Type | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Kurtz (ATH) | Home Runs | Over 1.5 |
| Luis Morales (ATH) | Strikeouts | Over 4.5 |
| Bryan Reynolds (PIT) | Total Bases | Over 1.5 |
Betting Trends & H2H
- The A’s lead the season series 1-0 over the Pirates.
- The first game of this series had seven total runs and stayed under the total.
Athletics vs Pirates Model Projection
Score Projection: Athletics 5 – Pirates 3
Win Probability: Athletics 57%, Pirates 43%
Final Thoughts
The Athletics appear to have the edge in this one. Morales is the more reliable starter, Pittsburgh’s offense is unlikely to be able to consistently threaten, and the Athletics’ momentum has been building over the last week or so. I will take the A’s to win this game on the road and to get their third consecutive victory in this interleague matchup.
