NY Yankees (5-2) at Pittsburgh (2-6)
- When: Apr 5 2025, 4:05 PM
- Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
- Where to watch: YES
MLB Betting Preview & Predictions: Yankees vs Pirates
Moneyline: NY Yankees -164 | Total: 9.5
The New York Yankees aim to keep their offensive fireworks rolling when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park. With New York riding high early this season and Pittsburgh searching for answers, the Yankees enter as -164 moneyline favorites with the game total set at 9.5 runs.
Yankees Outlook
Marcus Stroman (0-0, 5.79 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees in his second start of the season. After a shaky season debut where he lasted just 4 2/3 innings against Milwaukee, the veteran right-hander will look to settle in and provide stability for a Yankees rotation that’s already missing Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil. Despite giving up three earned runs and a homer in his first outing, Stroman’s career numbers against the Pirates (2-3, 2.75 ERA) suggest he could bounce back against a struggling offense.
More importantly, the Yankees’ bats are carrying the load. New York leads the majors with 23 home runs through seven games and has scored a whopping 62 runs—most in the American League. Aaron Judge is already making his presence felt, leading MLB with six homers, and the lineup around him continues to rake. Backed by elite power and plate discipline, the Yankees’ offense is poised to keep producing against a Pirates staff still looking to settle in.
Pirates Outlook
Lefty Bailey Falter (0-0, 3.00 ERA) starts for the Pirates, hoping to build on a solid outing against Miami in which he allowed just two runs over six innings. However, Pittsburgh’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and the Pirates ended up suffering a walk-off loss—one of three such defeats in that opening series. Falter will be tested by a Yankees lineup that’s hot and aggressive early in counts, especially against left-handed pitching.
The bigger concern for Pittsburgh is on offense. The Pirates have scored just 23 runs in eight games, have yet to break the five-run mark in a single contest, and are showing very little consistency at the plate. With the fan base already growing restless, the pressure is mounting early for this club to generate offense and avoid another disappointing stretch.
Outfielder Tommy Pham remains day-to-day due to illness and could miss the game, further weakening a lineup that’s already underwhelming.
Betting Prediction
With the way New York is swinging the bats and the Pirates’ inability to score, this sets up well for the Yankees to take control early and often. Expect Stroman to benefit from strong run support, and even if he doesn’t go deep, the Yankees’ bullpen and bats are enough to get the job done. Falter may keep things close early, but New York’s offense should eventually wear him down.
Score Prediction: Yankees 6, Pirates 3
Best Bet: Yankees -164 ML
Lean: Under 9.5 (-120) if Falter keeps it tight through the first five
- MLB Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
