Aug. 3, 2026, 12:05 a.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates (56-57) and the Milwaukee Brewers (69-42) open a 4-game NL Central series Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. First pitch at American Family Field is 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pirates lead 5-1
Pittsburgh has dropped 4 of its last 5 games after losing 10-2 to the Cincinnati Reds Sunday in the series finale, failing to cover as a +122 road underdog with the Over (8.5) hitting. 3B Jared Triolo and DH Bryan Reynolds each had RBIs in an otherwise quickly forgettable afternoon for the visitors.
Milwaukee’s 2-game winning streak was snapped Sunday with a 3-0 road loss against the Los Angeles Angels, failing to cover as a -210 favorite with the Under (7.5) hitting. The Brewers went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position, while leaving 6 runners on base.
Milwaukee leads the NL Central with Pittsburgh in third place 14 games back, but the Pirates have dominated the Brewers this season, outscoring them by 15 runs (36-21) in their 6 meetings. Pittsburgh won 2 of 3 in Milwaukee April 24-26.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Pirates at Brewers projected starters
RHP Bubba Chandler vs. RHP Brandon Sproat
Chandler (3-8, 4.56 ERA) makes his 21st start (22nd appearance). He has a 1.41 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 104 2/3 innings.
Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in an 8-7 home loss Tuesday vs. Arizona DiamondbacksCareer vs. Brewers: 0-1, 13.50 ERA (7 1/3 IP, 11 ER), 2.73 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 2 starts
Sproat (3-6, 5.05 ERA) makes his 19th start (21st appearance). He has a 1.39 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 92 2/3 innings.
Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 3-0 loss at San Francisco Giants MondayCareer vs. Pirates: 0-0, 6.00 ERA (3 IP, 2 ER), 1.33 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 1 startPirates at Brewers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 11:52 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Brewers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-170) | Brewers -1.5 (+140)Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Pirates at Brewers picks and predictionsPrediction
Brewers 6, Pirates 5
BET BREWERS (-150).
The Brewers have won 3 of their last 5 games and 5 of their last 8, and return home where they are 36-20.
The Pirates are 3-7 over their last 10 games, including 1-5 over their last 6. Chander has given bettors no confidence, with a 3-8 record while allowing at least 3 ER in 3 of his last 5 outings.
PASS.
There is better value on the Brewers’ moneyline, who have not had a successful track record against the Pirates this season.
BET OVER 8.5 (-110).
The Pirates have scored at least 4 runs in 2 of their last 3 and at least 3 runs in 5 of their last 8. They have allowed at least 8 in 2 of their last 3 and at least 7 in 5 of their last 9.
The Brewers have scored at least 3 in 4 of their last 5 and at least 4 in 5 of their last 10. They have allowed 22 runs combined over their last 4 games.
The Over/Under is 3-3 in their 6 meetings this season, and 1-2 in Milwaukee.
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