The Pittsburgh Pirates (14-15) and Oakland A’s (12-17) open a 3-game series at Oakland Coliseum Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. A’s odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; A’s won 2-1 last season
The Pirates are coming off a 3-2 road loss as basically a pick ’em at -106 vs. the San Francisco Giants Sunday with the Under (7) cashing at Oracle Park. Pittsburgh has lost 10 of its last 13 Games and is on an 8-1 run to the Under in its last 9.
The A’s won 2 of 3 against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, wrapping up the series with a 7-6 victory Sunday as the Over (8.5) hit. C Kyle McCann hit a go-ahead, 2-run HR in the 9th inning for the A’s, who cashed as +174 road underdogs.
Pirates at A’s projected starters
LHP Bailey Falter vs. RHP Joe Boyle
Falter (2-1, 3.33 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 0.89 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 in 27 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K in 2-1 home victory vs. Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday
- 2024 road stats: 1-1, 5.79 ERA (14 IP, 9 ER), 1.21 WHIP in 3 starts
- Career vs. A’s: 0-1, 7.71 ERA (2 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 1 relief appearance, a 4-1 home loss vs. Philadelphia Phillies April 10, 2022
Boyle (1-4, 7.06 ERA) makes his 6th start. The rookie has a 1.80 WHIP, 6.6 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 21 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K in 7-3 setback at New York Yankees Wednesday
- 2024 home stats: 0-2, 9.39 ERA (7 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 2.35 WHIP in 2 starts
- Has never faced Pirates before
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Pirates at A’s odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:18 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | A’s +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+140) | A’s +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pirates at A’s picks and predictions
Prediction
Pirates 6, A’s 4
Moneyline
The PIRATES (-125) should have no trouble scoring against Boyle, who has allowed 7 or more runs in 2 of his 5 starts this season. While betting on Pittsburgh, which has lost 4 of 5, doesn’t seem like the safest play in the world, it’s a lot better than relying on Boyle and his 9.39 home ERA.
BET PIRATES (-125).
Run line/Against the spread
Taking the Pirates to win by multiple runs seems aggressive since they’ve struggled to just win straight up recently. However, Oakland has lost Boyle’s last 3 starts by an average of 4.7 runs per Game.
Lean Pirates -1.5 (+140), but don’t risk more than 1.75 units between this play the Pirates’ moneyline wager.
Over/Under
Unders have been profitable in Pirates Games recently, but I can’t trust Boyle to help keep this Game low-scoring. I’m only betting the Pittsburgh ML, but if I had to play the total, I would take the Over and hope the Pirates jump on Boyle early.
LEAN OVER 8 (-110).
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