The Milwaukee Brewers (24-26) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-33) open a 4-game set Thursday. 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: First meeting; Brewers won 7-6 last year

The Brewers are coming off a 2-1 series win over the Baltimore Orioles in Milwaukee, but failed to complete the sweep with an 8-4 loss in 11 innings as -102 underdogs in the Wednesday finale with the Over (8.5) cashing. Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the 10th Wednesday, CF Jackson Chourio kept Milwaukee alive with an RBI single that brought home LF Isaac Collins, the automatic runner. But the Brewers couldn’t capitalize, getting outscored 4-0 in the 11th inning.

The Pirates took 2 of 3 games from the Cincinnati Reds in Pittsburgh, wrapping up the set with a 3-1 win as +112 underdogs Wednesday with the Under (8) hitting. SP Andrew Heaney (win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K) improved to 3-3 on the season, winning for the first time since April 23. Heaney and 4 Pirates relievers combined to allow just 4 hits.

Brewers at Pirates projected starters

TBD vs. RHP Mike Burrows

Milwaukee has not yet named a starting pitcher.

Brewers starters stats: 18-17, 3.70 ERA (240 2/3 IP, 99 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 7.9 K/9Brewers relievers stats: 6-9, 4.61 ERA (199 IP, 102 ER), 1.34 WHIP, 8.7 K/9

Burrows (1-0, 2.70 ERA in 2024) makes his first MLB start and second career appearance. The 25-year-old rookie allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits and 3 walks with 2 K’s in 3 1/3 relief innings in his Major League debut last year, a 9-4 victory at the New York Yankees Sept. 28.

2025 stats with Triple-A Indianapolis: 2-1, 2.51 ERA (32 1/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 7 starts and 1 relief appearanceWas selected in 11th round of 2018 MLB Draft

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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 11:01 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Brewers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Pirates +110 (bet $100 to win $110)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Brewers -1.5 (+125) | Pirates +1.5 (-155)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)Brewers at Pirates picks and predictionsPrediction

Brewers 4, Pirates 3

MILWAUKEE (-130) has won 3 of its last 4 games, with the lone loss coming in extra innings. The Pirates, meanwhile, could be vulnerable to a letdown after picking up their first series win since taking 2 of 3 from the Atlanta Braves in Pittsburgh from May 9-11. They followed that series victory with a 4-3 loss at the New York Mets May 12.

BET BREWERS (-130).

Milwaukee -1.5 (+125) is too risky without knowing the Brewers’ starting pitcher, and Pittsburgh +1.5 (-155) is too expensive.

PASS on the run line.

The Pirates have scored 3 or fewer runs in 14 of their last 17 games, going 14-2-1 to the Under. However, uncertainty around Milwaukee’s starting pitcher limits this to just a lean.

LEAN UNDER 9 (-110).

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