The Milwaukee Brewers (25-26) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-34) play the second game of a 4-game set Friday. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Brewers vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Brewers lead 1-0

The Brewers beat the Pirates 8-5 as -113 road favorites in the Thursday opener with the Over (9) cashing. DH Christian Yelich went 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs, homering in both the first and sixth innings of a game that featured a 1-hour, 50-minute rain delay.

Pittsburgh scored 5 runs Thursday for the first time since April 22, snapping a 26-game streak of 4 runs or fewer. 1B Spencer Horwitz led the way, going 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs, including a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Brewers at Pirates projected starters

RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP Paul Skenes

Peralta (5-3, 2.59 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 55 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 5-2 home victory vs. Minnesota Twins Sunday2025 road stats: 2-3, 3.98 ERA (31 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.23 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 in 6 starts2024 vs. Pirates: 0-1, 6.30 ERA (10 IP, 7 ER), 7 H, 7 BB, 12 K in 2 startsCareer vs. Pirates: 2-2, 3.55 ERA (83 2/3 IP, 33 ER), 1.08 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 13 starts and 9 relief appearances

Skenes (3-5, 2.44 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 0.94 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 62 2/3 innings.

Last start: Loss, 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 1-0 setback at Philadelphia Phillies Sunday2025 home stats: 1-3, 4.13 ERA (24 IP, 11 ER), 20 H, 6 BB, 19 K in 4 startsCareer vs. Brewers: 1 road start (July 11, 2024), win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 11 K in 1-0 victory

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Brewers at Pirates odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:31 p.m. ET.

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

Brewers 3, Pirates 2

Laying -125 with the Pirates is tough to justify given their recent form. They’ve dropped each of Skenes’ last 4 starts and rank last in MLB with just 2.96 runs per game. Pittsburgh is also an MLB-worst 5-11 straight up as a favorite this season. While Skenes is the better pitcher, Peralta has been steady, allowing 2 earned runs or fewer in 8 of his 10 starts.

BET BREWERS (+105).

The bid-ask spread is too wide in this market, making it tough to find value. Stick with the standard 20-cent straddle on the ML.

PASS on the run line.

The Under is 30-18-3 (62.5%) in Pirates games this season and 4-1-1 in Skenes’ last 6 starts. Peralta has also kept things quiet on the scoreboard, with the Under going 7-1-2 in his starts.

BET UNDER 7 (-125).

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