The Minnesota Twins and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Minnesota Twins will send out Taj Bradley for the start here and Bradley is 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts this season. This will be Bradley’s first career start against the Pirates. Jared Jones will start here for the Pirates and is making his first Major League start since 2024.
Minnesota Twins Recap
The Minnesota Twins come into this game looking to bounce back from a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Chicago White Sox last time out to sit at 27-30 this season. After this series, the Twins will have a series rematch with the White Sox.
Twins Drop Back-To-Back Games
Byron Buxton has 52 hits with 10 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 27 RBIs while Josh Bell’s added 42 hits with 9 doubles, 5 home runs and 29 RBIs. Luke Keaschall has 44 hits with 9 doubles, a homer and 18 RBIs and Matt Wallner has 20 hits with 3 doubles, 4 home runs and 10 RBIs. Brooks Lee has 6 home runs with 30 RBIs and Victor Caratini has 18 RBIs while Ryan Jeffers has 36 hits with 6 doubles, a triple, 7 home runs and 26 RBIs this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to shake off a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Cubs last time out to sit at 29-28 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a series against the Houston Astros.
Pirates Lose Back-To-Back Games
Oneil Cruz has 58 hits including 10 doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 46 hits with 6 doubles, 7 home runs and 29 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 55 hits with 9 doubles and 22 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 52 hits with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 36 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 55 hits with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 35 RBIs as well this season.
Minnesota Twins @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: May 29, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Jared Jones Record this season: – ERA: –
- Home Record: –
- Last 5 against Twins: 0-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won seven of their last eight home games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have lost each of their last seven Friday games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in nine of their last 10 home games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last nine Friday night games.
- The Twins have lost the first inning in each of their last three games at PNC Park against opponents that held a winning record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Taj Bradley Record this season: 5-1 ERA: 2.77
- Road Record: 4-1
- Last 5 against Pirates: –
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Twins’ last four games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in eight of the Twins’ last nine games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games against the Pirates.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Twins’ last six night games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Pirates’ last seven games as home favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last seven games as underdogs.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Pirates’ last eight games against American League opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five games against AL opponents.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a favorite against AL opponents.
- Oneil Cruz ranks 3rd in the league in Steals (17) this season.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
- Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in each of the Twins’ last three road games against NL Central opponents.
- Byron Buxton has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances with the Twins as road underdogs.
- Byron Buxton ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (17) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (495).
- The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (528).
- The Twins rank 24th in the league for strikeouts this season (444).
- The Twins rank T7th in the league for home runs allowed this season (51).
Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m on the Twins in this one. I get the case to be made for either side here but Jones is a relative unknown after being away from the majors since 2024 and Taj Bradley’s been a surprisingly solid option for the Twins so far this season. I think the Twins draw first blood here so give me Minnesota.