The Pittsburgh Pirates (51-69) and the Milwaukee Brewers (74-44) play the second game of a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from American Family Field is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Brewers lead 5-3

The Brewers beat the Pirates 7-1 in Monday’s series opener, cashing as -174 home favorites with the Under (9) hitting. 2B Brice Turang hit the first leadoff homer of his career as Milwaukee won its 10th straight game.

Pirates C Joey Bart hit a solo homer in the third for the visitors’ only run. Pittsburgh has lost 3 games in a row and each of its last 2 games by 6 runs.

Pirates at Brewers projected starters

RHP Paul Skenes vs. RHP Freddy Peralta

Skenes (7-8, 1.94 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 0.93 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 through 144 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 7-0 home victory vs. Cincinnati Reds Thursday2025 vs. Brewers: 0-1, 4.50 ERA (10 IP, 5 ER), 1.20 WHIP, 8 H, 4 BB, 12 K in 2 starts

Peralta (13-5, 3.03 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 130 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 7-2 victory at Atlanta Braves Aug. 52025 vs. Pirates: 1-0, 3.86 ERA (9 1/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.61 WHIP, 12 H, 3 BB, 11 K in 2 starts

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Pirates at Brewers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:39 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pirates +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Brewers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+180) | Brewers +1.5 (-220)Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +100 | U: -120)Pirates at Brewers picks and predictionsPrediction

Pirates 3, Brewers 2

The Pirates are just 12-12 in Skenes’ starts this season, even though he is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award (-600 at BetMGM Sportsbook).

The safer play is on Pittsburgh in the first 5 innings, focusing on Skenes’ performance while avoiding the bullpen. He has allowed no ER in 3 of his last 4 starts, so if the Pirates can score at least 1 run in the first 5 innings, they should be in good shape.

BET PIRATES FIRST 5 INNINGS (-118).

The bid and ask prices are too high in this market. Stick to the moneyline and/or total instead.

PASS on the run line.

The Under has gone 6-2 in Skenes’ last 8 starts.

While the Over has hit in 8 of Peralta’s last 9 starts, he has allowed 1 or fewer ER in 4 of his last 6 outings.

BET UNDER 7 (-120).

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