Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 20, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Athletics (72-81, 4th AL West) play the middle game of a three-game series on the road Saturday at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-88, 5th NL Central). The A’s beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 on Thursday and won two out of three at Fenway over the Red Sox. Pittsburgh lost to the Chicago Cubs 8-4 on Wednesday. Pittsburgh was swept by the Cubs in a three-game series and has lost 11 of the last 12. Both teams have been eliminated from postseason contention. The A’s will play without seven pitchers as well as position players Austin Wynns and Denzel Clarke. Pittsburgh will play without one pitcher as well as position players Emmanuel Valdez, Ronny Simon, Endy Rodriguez, and Jack Brannigan. Make sure to read this in-depth Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction. Hit a home run with our top MLB picks for the Athletics at the Pittsburgh Pirates prediction today!
The Pitching Struggles continue for the A’s
The Athletics are 3rd in slugging percentage, 4th in batting average, 10th in on-base percentage, and 12th in runs scored, but could not overcome the shortcomings on the mound. Nick Kurtz has a team-best 32 home runs in just 108 games played. Brent Rooker is second in long balls with 30, while Tyler Soderstrom has been very productive at the plate with 31 doubles, one triple, 24 homers, and a team-best 90 RBI. The A’s have hit 279 doubles, 16 triples, and 212 home runs for 507 extra base hits in 153 games.
The A’s are 24th or worse in four pitching categories. The Athletics are 24th in batting average against, 25th in both WHIP at 1.36 and Quality Starts with 41, while 27th in ERA at 4.72. Jeffrey Springs leads the A’s in wins with 10, strikeouts with 135, and ERA for starters, with 4.17. The A’s will turn to Luis Morales on the mound Saturday. In limited innings, the 22-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh needs new bats, while its pitching is its strength
The Pittsburgh Pirates need to swap their bats for new ones. The Pirates have struggled at the plate all season. Pittsburgh is 26th in on-base percentage, 28th in batting average, and 30th or last in both runs scored and slugging percentage. Oneil Cruz leads the Bucs in home runs with 19, but has a paltry .203 batting average. Bryan Reynolds is second in homers with 15 and the leader in RBI with 71, but is batting a meager .241. As a team, the Pirates have hit 225 doubles, 21 triples, and 108 home runs for 354 extra base hits in 153 games.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
On the mound, Pittsburgh is at its best. The Pirates are 7th in WHIP, 9th in batting average against, 12th in ERA, and 15th in Quality Starts. Paul Skenes is the ace of the staff, leading the Pirates in wins (10), strikeouts (209), and ERA for starters (2.03). Bubba Chandler gets the nod on the mound Saturday for the Pirates. This season, the 23-year-old right-hander is 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts.
Athletics vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Pick
Spread Pick for Athletics vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Athletics (4 units)
Pittsburgh is last in slugging percentage and batting average, while just 28th in batting average. The A’s are much better at the plate, sitting 3rd in slugging percentage, 4th in batting average, and 10th in on-base percentage. The A’s have 153 more extra base hits than the Pirates in the same number of games. The A’s have won six of the last seven overall and have won each of the last five head-to-head with the Pirates. Pittsburgh is in freefall, having lost four straight and 11 of the last 12. The Pirates are 0-6 in the last six at home in PNC Park. A’s starting pitcher Luis Morales, who is just 22, has performed well in limited innings. In 38 innings, the right-hander has allowed 28 hits and 13 runs for an ERA of 3.08.
Pittsburgh starter Bubba Chandler, who is just 23, is coming off a strong outing after allowing just one run in 6.0 innings, but in his previous start, which lasted just 2.2 innings, he allowed nine hits and nine runs.
Over/Under Pick for Athletics vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Under (4 units)
As mentioned previously, Pittsburgh is performing poorly at the plate, sitting last in runs scored. The total has finished under in four of the Pirates' last five games, and in six of the last seven games, the Pirates have played a team from the American League. The A’s have had the total finish under in seven of their last 10 games.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
- Check out more MLB predictions
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
