In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Athletics prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 21st at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 66-89 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 3-4 and 2-0. In their game two win, Pittsburgh scored once in the second and once in the third, which was enough for the low scoring win. The Pirates recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Reynolds and Yorke, who both had one RBI in the win. Pittsburgh started Chandler, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Santana got the save.
Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three against the Cubs and two out of three against the Nationals. Pittsburgh has lost 12 of their last 14 games and they are last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 550 runs with a .230 batting average and a .304 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 16 home runs and 73 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mike Burrows, who is 2-4 with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 90.0 innings pitched this season.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics are 73-82 this year after they lost game two by a score of 2-0 on Saturday night. The A’s did next to nothing at the plate in the game and ended up with the shutout loss. The Athletics recorded just one hit in the game and they were led by Wilson, who went 1-3 in the defeat. The Athletics started Morales, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Ferguson and Basso closed out the last two innings.
Prior to this series, the Athletics won two out of three against the Red Sox and swept the Reds in three games. The Athletics have won seven of their last nine games and they are fourth in the AL West standings. The Athletics pitching staff has a 4.68 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a .252 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 709 runs with a .253 batting average and a .319 on base percentage this season. Brent Rooker has led the Athletics with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, while Nick Kurtz has added 33 home runs and 81 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for the Athletics is Mitch Spence, who is 3-5 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 78.1 innings pitched this year.
Why the Athletics will beat the Pirates
- The Athletics have won nine of their last 10 road games following a loss.
- The Pirates have lost 14 of their last 16 day games against AL West opponents.
- The Athletics have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 road games following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 15 games against AL West opponents following a home win.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Athletics have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last six games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Athletics’ last five day games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Athletics’ last four day games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six day games against American League opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 Sunday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Tommy Pham has hit a home run in three of his last seven appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in three of the Pirates’ last four home games against AL opponents.
Athletics Player Prop Facts
- Brent Rooker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last six day games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Nick Kurtz has hit a home run in three of the Athletics’ last four games against NL opponents.
- Brent Rooker has recorded a Double in four of the Athletics’ last five day games against opponents that held a losing record.
Pirates vs Athletics Prediction
Pittsburgh picked up a badly needed win on Saturday in game two of this series, as they have lost 12 of their last 14 games. The Pirates are 43-37 at home this season, while the Athletics are 40-40 on the road. The A’s are starting Spence, who has allowed 4+ earned runs in three of his last five outings. The Pirates are going with Burrows, who has allowed five earned runs in his last 13.1 innings of work. I really don’t like this pitching matchup, but we know how bad the Pirates offense has been. Take the Athletics to get the win here.