Pirates vs Giants Prediction 9/3/26 MLB Picks Today
San Francisco Giants (58-82) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (68-72)
September 3, 2026 12:35 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates -166 / San Francisco Giants 137; Over/Under: 8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Thursday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs Giants Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs Giants Pick.
San Francisco Giants Betting Preview
The San Francisco Giants are 58-82 on the year and play the Cardinals and Mets next. The San Francisco Giants are batting .248 on the season, have a .309 OBP, and have a .407 slugging percentage. The San Francisco Giants’ pitching staff has a 4.38 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Jung Hoo Lee leads the San Francisco Giants with 137 hits and 50 RBI, while Rafael Devers and Willy Adames have combined for 241 hits and 134 RBI.
Blade Tidwell gets the ball for the San Francisco Giants, and he is 0-1 with a 4.54 ERA and 31 strikeouts this season. This will be Tidwell’s second career game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 68-72 this year and play the Angels and White Sox next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .253 on the season, with a .331 OBP and a .404 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 152 hits and 59 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 268 hits and 149 RBI.
Lake Bachar gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA and 77 strikeouts this season. Bachar is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 3 strikeouts in his career against the San Francisco Giants.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Giants have lost each of their last eight games following a road win.
- The Pirates have won four of their last five home games following a home loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last four day games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Giants have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in 11 of their last 12 day games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four days’ games against the Giants.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in four of their last five home games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
Why the San Francisco Giants will win
- The Giants have won four of their last five games as road underdogs against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against the Giants following a loss.
- The Giants have covered the run line in each of their last 10 day games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six home games against NL West opponents.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against NL West opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last four day games against NL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Giants’ last six day games against NL opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in nine of the Giants’ last 10 games as underdogs.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last five home games against NL opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 16 games as favorites against NL West opponents.
San Francisco Giants Player Prop Facts
- Rafael Devers has hit a home run in each of the Giants’ last six games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Rafael Devers has recorded at least one hit in each of the Giants’ last 15 games against NL opponents.
Pirates vs Giants Prediction
I was originally going to lean Pirates at home with the quick turnaround, but I’m not laying these prices at this point in the season in a game between two teams that have nothing to play for. I’m also not a fan of openers, so the Pirates just aren’t attractive. Yes, the Giants stink, and they’ve lost 7 straight games with Tidwell on the mound. Still, the price forces me to lean Giants if forced to pick. The Pirates aren’t good enough to lay this price, and there’s no motivation. It’s Giants or pass for me.