Oakland Athletics vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Preview, Odds, and Pitching Matchup for September 20, 2025

Saturday, September 20th, 2025

Athletics vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: September 20, 2025 MLB Matchup Preview

The Oakland Athletics (73-81, fourth in the AL West) travel to PNC Park to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-89, fifth in the NL Central) on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. EDT. Both teams are looking to finish their seasons on a positive note as they meet for the second time this year.

Pitching Probables

On the mound for the Athletics will be Luis Morales, who brings a strong 4-1 record with a 3.08 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts. Opposing him is Pirates’ Bubba Chandler, who is 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts. The betting line is close, with the Pirates at -110 and the Athletics at -109. The over/under for the game is set at 8.5 runs.

Team Performance and Recent Form

The Pirates enter this matchup looking to break a five-game losing streak. At home, Pittsburgh holds a 42-37 record but has struggled when allowing home runs, going 23-61 in those games. Meanwhile, the Athletics have been a strong power-hitting team with 214 home runs, ranking third in the American League, and hold a 40-39 record on the road.

Last 10 Games

The Pirates have struggled recently, posting a 1-9 record in their last 10 games with a .189 team batting average and a 3.38 ERA, being outscored by 13 runs. The Athletics, on the other hand, have won seven of their last ten, hitting .249 as a team with a 3.30 ERA, and have outscored their opponents by three runs in that span.

Top Performers to Watch

Bryan Reynolds continues to lead the Pirates offensively, batting .243 with 36 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 54 walks, and 72 RBI. Jared Triolo has gone 10-for-43 with a home run and an RBI over the last 10 games.

For the Athletics, Brent Rooker is a standout with 40 doubles, three triples, 30 home runs, and 87 RBI. Nick Kurtz has hit four homers and driven in eight runs, going 8-for-40 over the past 10 games.

Injury Updates

The Pirates are currently missing several players due to injury: Ronny Simon (shoulder, 10-day IL), Endy Rodriguez (elbow, 60-day IL), Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder, 60-day IL), and Jared Jones (elbow, 60-day IL).

The Athletics also have an extensive injury list, including Ben Bowden (lat, 60-day IL), Joey Estes (back, 15-day IL), Jacob Lopez (flexor, 15-day IL), Jack Perkins (shoulder, 15-day IL), Austin Wynns (abdomen, 60-day IL), Denzel Clarke (abductor, 10-day IL), Max Muncy (hand, 10-day IL), Grant Holman (shoulder, 60-day IL), Gunnar Hoglund (hip, 60-day IL), Jose Leclerc (shoulder, 60-day IL), and Luis Medina (elbow, 60-day IL).

Weather

Today at PNC Park, expect mild baseball weather with temperatures around 70°F under mostly clear skies. There is little chance of precipitation, so the game should remain dry. Winds are light at 6 mph out of the west, posing minimal impact on play. Overall, ideal conditions for enjoying baseball.

In summary

The Athletics and Pirates will clash at PNC Park with both teams looking to build momentum in the final stretch of the season. Key pitching will feature Luis Morales for Oakland and Bubba Chandler for Pittsburgh. Watch for power hitters like Brent Rooker and Bryan Reynolds to have an impact in a game expected to be played under perfect weather conditions. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, making contributions from healthy players critical in this late-season showdown.

MLB Schedules

Today's MLB Games

There are no baseball games today.

Tomorrow's MLB Games

There are no baseball games tomorrow.

Yesterday's MLB Games

There were no baseball games yesterday.