The Athletics, currently ranked fourth in the AL West, will play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Athletics come into this game with a record of 73-81 and have shown solid recent form, winning seven of their last ten games. Under the guidance of manager Mark Kotsay, they aim to continue their recent winning momentum.
Conversely, the Pirates are struggling, having lost their last five games and holding a record of 65-89. Under manager Don Kelly, they are looking to break out of this slump despite a challenging season. Playing at their home field, they will attempt to leverage their slightly better home record of 42-37 to halt their losing streak.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 6:40 PM and will be broadcast on SN PT. Weather conditions at PNC Park are expected to be warm with calm winds and broken clouds. With both teams seeking a positive result for different reasons, this game offers an intriguing matchup.
Pirates vs Athletics At a Glance
- Game Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA, an outdoor field.
- Weather: Expect a warm night with calm winds and broken clouds.
- TV Broadcast: Catch the game on SN PT.
- Athletics Current Form: The Athletics hold a record of 73-81, ranked 4th in the AL West, and are on a two-game win streak.
- Pirates Current Form: The Pirates stand at 65-89, ranked 5th in the NL Central, and are on a five-game losing streak.
- Game Odds: Consensus moneyline for Athletics is -108, while the Pirates’ moneyline is -109. Total runs set at 8.5.
Pittsburgh Pirates Prepare to Take on the Athletics: An Analytical Preview
Athletics’ Offensive Overview
The Athletics have displayed a middling offensive performance this season, with a batting average of .230 and ranking 18th in the league. Their on-base percentage mirrors this at .304, also ranking 18th. Slugging percentage is an area of concern, with a rank of 26th at .347, indicating limited power hitting.
Home run production has been sparse, with 108 total home runs, placing them 25th in the league. The team has managed 228 doubles, ranking 21st, showing some capacity for extra-base hits. Their strikeout rate is high, with 1,350 strikeouts, the 24th highest in the league.
Athletics’ Key Players
Luis Morales stands out as a key player with a strong performance on the mound, sporting a 3.08 ERA and a 4-1 win-loss record. His WHIP of 1.10 further demonstrates his ability to control the game and limit base runners. The Athletics will rely on Morales to continue his impressive season in the upcoming game.
Offensively, the team lacks a standout power hitter, but consistency is found in players who contribute across various facets of the game. This balanced approach is crucial for the Athletics as they aim to improve their standings.
Pitching Depth and Challenges
The Athletics’ pitching staff has been solid overall, with a team ERA of 3.88, ranking 12th. Their ability to limit opponents’ batting averages to .237, the 8th best in the league, has been a key factor in their success. However, they have given up 147 home runs, ranking 3rd in the league, which poses a significant challenge.
With 53 quality starts and 24 blown saves, the team shows both resilience and vulnerability. These numbers illustrate the importance of maintaining control in the late innings to secure victories.
Athletics’ Defensive Strategy
The Athletics’ defensive strategy revolves around mitigating damage from opposing offenses, with a focus on limiting extra-base hits. Their rank of 8th in batting average against reflects their effectiveness in this area. Maintaining this defensive prowess will be crucial against the Pirates.
The combination of a strong defensive approach and a balanced offense will be critical as they face the Pirates. The team will need to capitalize on the Pirates’ recent struggles to gain an advantage.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 0-3 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5 Games: 0-5 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10 Games: 1-9 (10.0%)
- SU All Games: 65-89 (42.2%)
- SU as Favorite: 22-23 (48.9%)
- SU as Underdog: 43-66 (39.4%)
- Runline All Games: 82-72 (53.2%)
- Runline as Favorite: 20-25 (44.4%)
- Runline as Underdog: 62-47 (56.9%)
- O/U All Games: 61-93 (39.6%)
- O/U as Favorite: 17-28 (37.8%)
- O/U as Underdog: 44-65 (40.4%)
Athletics Ready to Swing Big Against the Pirates
Team Overview
The Oakland Athletics are coming into this game with a solid offensive performance in the 2025 season, ranking 4th in batting average at .254 and 3rd in slugging percentage at .435. Their ability to hit for power is evident with 214 home runs, placing them 4th in the league.
However, their on-base percentage of .319, ranking 8th, suggests there’s room for improvement in getting runners on base. Their low ranking in walks, 17th with 483, indicates a need for greater discipline at the plate.
Key Players to Watch
Nick Kurtz has been a standout performer for the Athletics, leading the team with 33 home runs and a .293 batting average. His ability to drive in runs has been crucial, with 81 RBIs placing him first in team rankings.
Shea Langeliers provides additional power in the lineup with 30 home runs and a .261 batting average. His contributions are significant as he ranks second on the team in home runs and RBIs.
Pitching Analysis
On the mound, the Athletics have struggled with a team ERA of 4.71, ranking 27th in the league. Their starting pitcher, Luis Morales, has been a bright spot with a 3.08 ERA and a WHIP of 1.10, showcasing effective control and poise.
The Athletics’ pitching staff has given up 213 home runs, ranking 25th, highlighting a vulnerability in keeping the ball in the park. They will need a strong performance from Morales to counteract this weakness.
Recent Performance
The Athletics have shown resilience in their recent games, winning 4 out of their last 5. This stretch includes victories over both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox, demonstrating their capability to compete against varied opponents.
With a recent win against the Pirates by a score of 4-3, the Athletics have momentum on their side. Lawrence Butler’s three-run homer in the fifth inning was pivotal in securing this victory.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 2-1 (66.7%)
- Runline Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 2-8 (20.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 40-39 (50.6%)
- Runline as Underdog: 70-46 (60.3%)
Pirates vs Athletics Prediction: Athletics -108
The Oakland Athletics are coming into this game with a slight edge, with a recent 7-3 run in their last 10 games, contrasted with the Pirates’ struggle of 1-9 over the same period. Luis Morales, the Athletics’ starting pitcher, presents a strong 3.08 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, offering a solid advantage against a Pirates team that has had difficulties scoring consistently.
With Bubba Chandler taking the mound for the Pirates, his 5.66 ERA suggests he may be vulnerable to the Athletics’ offense, which ranks third in slugging percentage. Despite the Pirates’ moderate home record, their current losing streak and recent performances make it hard to bank on a turnaround in this matchup.
The Athletics’ ability to capitalize on key moments, as demonstrated by their recent victory, is crucial here. Even with the setback of Zack Gelof’s injury, Oakland’s bullpen depth and Morales’ consistency are expected to guide them to another win.
The predicted final score for this matchup is Athletics 5 – Pirates 3. This prediction aligns with the Athletics’ current momentum and the pitching mismatch favoring Oakland.
- Pirates vs Athletics Prediction: Athletics -108
- Pirates vs Athletics Score: Athletics 5 – Pirates 3
