The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Athletics meet Wednesday in MLB action from Sutter Health Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Athletics prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Braxton Ashcraft for the start here and Ashcraft is 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA and 90 strikeouts this season. Aaron Civale will start for the Athletics and is 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA and 39 strikeouts this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to add on to their 6-5 win over the A’s from Tuesday to sit at 37-37 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a series against the Colorado Rockies.
Pirates Snap Two-Game Slide
Oneil Cruz has 66 hits including 10 doubles, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 57 hits with 6 doubles, 10 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 74 hits with 11 doubles and 31 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 61 hits with 16 doubles, 17 home runs and 46 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 69 hits with 16 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 42 RBIs as well this season.
Athletics Recap
The Athletics come into this game looking to shake off their loss to the Pirates on Tuesday to sit at 36-37 this season. After this series, the Athletics will take on the Angels in a division series at home.
A’s Alternate Wins & Losses In 4 Straight
Shea Langeliers has 75 hits with 15 doubles, 18 home runs and 36 RBIs while Tyler Soderstrom’s added 60 hits with 19 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs and 39 RBIs. Brent Rooker has 36 hits with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. Jacob Wilson also has 48 hits with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 21 RBIs and Nick Kurtz has 72 hits with 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 52 RBIs this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Athletics Betting Trends: June 17, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Aaron Civale Record this season: 5-2 ERA: 4.20
- Home Record: 2-2
- Last 5 against Pirates: 3-1
Why the Athletics will win
- The Athletics have won each of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Pirates have lost each of their last six night games against American League opponents following a road win.
- The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in nine of their last 10 night games against American League opponents.
- The Athletics have won the first inning in three of their last four games.
- The Athletics have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Braxton Ashcraft Record this season: 5-3 ERA: 3.30
- Road Record: 2-2
- Last 5 against Athletics: 0-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Athletics have lost eight of their last 10 games at Sutter Health Park.
- The Pirates have won seven of their last nine games against American League opponents.
- The road team has covered the run line in five of the Pirates’ last six games.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last 10 games at Sutter Health Park.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine games as road favorites.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as favorites.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last four games as favorites against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Athletics’ last seven games as home underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Athletics’ last six games as home underdogs.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Pirates’ last 11 games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Athletics Player Prop Facts
- Nick Kurtz has hit at least one home run in each of the Athletics’ last five games as home underdogs against NL opponents.
- Zack Gelof has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last 20 games.
- Nick Kurtz ranks 1st amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.442) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite against the Athletics.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances with his team as a favorite against AL opponents.
- Bryan Reynolds ranks 6th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.400) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Athletics rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.261).
- The Athletics rank 29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (104).
- The Pirates rank T1st in the league for hits this season (646).
- The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (685).
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Athletics Prediction
I’m on the Pirates here. Not easy to back the Pirates in their current form but Braxton Ashcraft is the far better starting option here in my opinion as Aaron Civale’s struggled wherever he’s pitched for much of the year, but especially in this hitter’s haven in Sacramento. I think the Pirates get to Civale and do enough for the series win here. Give me the Pirates.