Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Saturday September 5 2026

The Los Angeles Angels visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Saturday, with the first pitch at 6:40 PM ET on MLB.TV. Los Angeles is 53-87, fifth in the AL West and 17 games behind the final American League Wild Card position. The Angels are 1-9 over their last 10 and have lost two straight after Wednesday’s 6-3, 10-inning loss to the Yankees. Pittsburgh is 69-72, fourth in the NL Central and five games behind the final National League Wild Card spot. The Pirates have won four of their last five after Thursday’s 5-2 victory over San Francisco. Cash in a winner with our free MLB picks.

Los Angeles Angels Have Struggled at the Plate

Los Angeles ranks 27th in MLB with a .234 batting average, while its .309 on-base percentage and .371 slugging percentage also show the lineup’s problems. The Angels have scored 571 runs and hit 135 home runs through 140 games. Zach Neto leads the club with 23 home runs, 66 RBI and 127 hits, while Mike Trout has 20 homers, 50 RBI and a team-best .375 on-base percentage. Nolan Schanuel is batting .276 with a .351 on-base percentage, though he is currently on the injured list.

The Angels have also struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard. Los Angeles ranks 21st in MLB pitching with a 4.27 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, although opponents are batting only .236. The club has issued 569 walks across 1,238 innings. Los Angeles is 23-43 away from home, has a minus-80 run differential and has scored four runs or fewer in four of its last five games. The one exception was a 10-1 victory over the Yankees on Monday.

Injuries: Josh Lowe is day-to-day, while Gustavo Campero, Nolan Schanuel, Sam Bachman and Yoan Moncada are on the injured list.

Pittsburgh Pirates Have the Better Recent Form

Pittsburgh ranks fourth in MLB with a .253 batting average and has produced 686 runs, 1,224 hits and 163 home runs. Brandon Lowe leads the Pirates with 29 homers and 83 RBI, while Nick Gonzales is batting .310 with a .372 on-base percentage and 153 hits. Bryan Reynolds has 15 home runs, 66 RBI and a .369 on-base percentage. Oneil Cruz adds another power-speed threat with 17 homers, 58 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 78 games.

The Pirates have won four of their last five, scoring 35 runs during that stretch. Pittsburgh is 36-33 at PNC Park and owns a plus-29 run differential despite sitting 18.5 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. The pitching staff ranks 19th in MLB with a 4.24 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, with opponents batting .239. Pittsburgh has recorded 41 quality starts and allowed 138 home runs, three fewer than the Angels despite playing the same number of games.

Injuries: Konnor Griffin, Ryan O’Hearn, Kirby Yates, Mitch Keller and Endy Rodriguez are on the injured list.

Pitching Matchup

Los Angeles Angels - Yusei Kikuchi

Yusei Kikuchi is 0-5 with a 5.65 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through 43 innings. The left-hander has allowed 48 hits, 16 walks and seven home runs while recording 43 strikeouts. Kikuchi has allowed more hits than innings pitched and has yet to record a victory. His 43 strikeouts match his innings total, but the 1.49 WHIP shows how often baserunners have reached against him.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Braxton Ashcraft

Braxton Ashcraft is 14-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 160.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 138 hits, 35 walks and 21 home runs while striking out 164. Ashcraft has worked deep into the season with more strikeouts than innings pitched. His low walk total has helped him keep the WHIP close to 1.00 through 160.1 innings.

Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Game Pick

• Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh has the stronger profile for Saturday with Braxton Ashcraft on the mound and a lineup that ranks fourth in MLB batting average. The Pirates are 36-33 at home and have won four of their last five, while Los Angeles is 23-43 away and 1-9 over its last 10. Ashcraft is 14-5 with a 3.59 ERA, compared with Yusei Kikuchi’s 0-5 record and 5.65 ERA. Pittsburgh also owns the better run differential at plus-29, while the Angels sit at minus-80. The pick is Pittsburgh Saturday.

Los Angeles Angels vs Pittsburgh Pirates Over/Under Pick

• Under

A lower-scoring outcome makes the under the play because Pittsburgh starts Braxton Ashcraft, who owns a 3.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 164 strikeouts through 160.1 innings. Los Angeles ranks 27th in MLB batting average at .234 and has scored 571 runs, while Pittsburgh has a 4.24 team ERA. Yusei Kikuchi has struggled, but the Pirates have scored four runs or fewer in two of their last five games. Pittsburgh’s pitching advantage could limit the Angels early, and Los Angeles has scored four or fewer in four straight losses.