The Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres meet Tuesday in MLB action from Petco Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Paul Skenes for the start here and Skenes is 9-11 with a 3.95 ERA and 171 strikeouts this season. Michael King will start for San Diego and is 8-9 with a 3.38 ERA and 128 strikeouts this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to add on to their 3-2 win over the Padres last time out to sit at 64-69 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pirates Snap Three-Game Slide
Entering Monday, Oneil Cruz has 70 hits including 10 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 97 hits with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 142 hits with 22 doubles and 55 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 123 hits with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 127 hits with 31 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs as well this season.
San Diego Padres Recap
The San Diego Padres come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss to Pittsburgh last time out to sit at 71-61 on the year. After this series, the Padres will head on the road for a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Padres Have Three-Game Win Streak Halted
Going into Monday, Jackson Merrill has 119 hits with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 66 RBIs while Gavin Sheets has 74 hits with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 46 RBIs as well on the year. Fernando Tatis Jr. has 146 hits with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 67 RBIs and Xander Bogaerts has 93 hits with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Manny Machado also has 103 hits with 20 doubles, 24 home runs and 72 RBIs as well on the year.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ San Diego Padres Betting Trends: August 25, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Michael King Record this season: 8-9 ERA: 3.38
- Home Record: 5-4
- Last 5 against Pirates: 2-0
Why the San Diego Padres will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last nine games following an extra innings win.
- The Padres have won each of their last eight games following a loss.
- The Padres have covered the run line in each of their last nine games against NL opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games following an extra innings win.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight Tuesday road games.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes Record this season: 9-11 ERA: 3.95
- Road Record: 4-6
- Last 5 against Padres: 1-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won four of their last six games as underdogs against NL West opponents following a road win.
- The Padres have lost seven of their last eight Tuesday games against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in five of their last six road games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
- The Padres have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Nine of the Pirates’ last 10 road games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Padres’ last eight games against NL opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in 11 of the Padres’ last 12 night games against NL Central opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in five of the Pirates’ last six games as underdogs.
San Diego Padres Player Prop Facts
- Jackson Merrill has hit a home run in four of the Padres’ last six games as home favorites.
- Michael King has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
- Ty France has recorded at least one hit in each of the Padres’ last nine games against NL opponents.
- Fernando Tatis Jr. ranks 5th in the league in Hits (146) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three night games.
- Paul Skenes has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against NL West opponents.
- Paul Skenes has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his six previous road appearances against NL West opponents.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine night games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.308) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Padres rank T27th in the league for triples this season (11).
- The Padres rank T4th in the league for steals this season (128).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1161).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1262).
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres Prediction
I’m on the Padres here. I know Paul Skenes is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the Pirates have just fallen off this season and have not been able to back him up. San Diego normally does their best work against righties and I think they get to Skenes and back up King, who I think has been their ace this season. Give me the Padres.