Pittsburgh Pirates vs Athletics Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Wednesday June 17 2026
Use Code WWWC Pittsburgh and the Athletics settle their three-game series Wednesday night with updated picks and top MLB player props from Sutter Health Park.
Best Available Odds
Best Moneyline Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates (-111) / Athletics (+105)
Best Spread Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5 (+130) / Athletics +1.0 (-121)
Best Total Odds: Over 10.5 (+105) / Under 10.0 (-103)
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Game Info
Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EDT
Location: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Athletics Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates enter the series finale at 37-37 after rallying for a 6-5 victory Tuesday. Pittsburgh erased deficits of 4-0 and 5-3 behind three late home runs, including two from Bryan Reynolds and the go-ahead solo shot from Brandon Lowe in the ninth inning.
Reynolds finished Tuesday's win 4-for-5 with two home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Ryan O'Hearn added three hits, while Endy Rodríguez produced an RBI single during Pittsburgh's sixth-inning comeback. The Pirates had lost eight of their previous 10 games, but the victory returned them to .500 and gave them an opportunity to win the road series.
Pittsburgh remains without Oneil Cruz, who is on the injured list with nondisplaced fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals of his left hand. Cruz is expected to remain sidelined until approximately the middle of July. Konnor Griffin, Joey Bart, and Wilber Dotel are also unavailable.
The Athletics enter at 36-37 after failing to protect an early four-run advantage Tuesday. Zack Gelof went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, extending the longest active hitting streak in the majors to 20 games. Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers reached base in the ninth inning, but the Athletics could not bring home the tying run.
Oakland won Monday's opener 11-2 and has scored 16 runs through the first two games of the series. The Athletics are missing designated hitter Brent Rooker, who is on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, but Kurtz, Gelof, Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, and Lawrence Butler still give the lineup substantial power.
Starting Pitchers and Pitching Matchup
The Pirates will start right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who enters at 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts across 84.2 innings. Ashcraft has allowed only 74 hits and 19 walks, combining strong command with more than one strikeout per inning.
Ashcraft has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his six road starts this season. His ability to limit baserunners gives Pittsburgh a meaningful advantage against an Athletics lineup that has generated much of its recent production through home runs and extra-base hits.
The Athletics counter with right-hander Aaron Civale, who returns from the injured list after missing more than three weeks with right shoulder tendinitis. Civale enters at 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts across 55.2 innings.
Civale allowed 65 hits and 17 walks over his first 11 starts, and his elevated WHIP remains the primary concern against a Pittsburgh lineup that produced 13 hits Tuesday. He completed a rehabilitation assignment before returning, but this will be his first major-league start since May 25.
Civale has produced a 2.96 career ERA against Pittsburgh, giving the Athletics reason to believe he can provide competitive innings. His workload and sharpness following the shoulder injury remain less certain, particularly against a Pirates lineup that found its power stroke in Tuesday's comeback.
Game Thesis: Pittsburgh has the clearer starting-pitching advantage with Ashcraft facing Civale in his return from the injured list. The Athletics have the more explosive recent offensive profile, but Ashcraft's command and road performance make another immediate Oakland outburst less likely. Pittsburgh's improved lineup and superior starter give the Pirates the best path to winning the series finale, while a total of 10 provides enough room to consider the Under.
⭐ Best Bet - Moneyline Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (-111)
The Pirates moneyline is the strongest selection because Ashcraft has been substantially more reliable than Civale this season. Ashcraft owns a 1.10 WHIP and has allowed only 31 earned runs over 84.2 innings, while Civale returns with a 1.47 WHIP after missing time with a shoulder issue.
Pittsburgh also enters with improved offensive momentum. Reynolds, O'Hearn, Lowe, Nick Gonzales, and Rodríguez combined to drive Tuesday's comeback, demonstrating that the Pirates can generate production without Cruz in the lineup.
The Athletics remain dangerous at Sutter Health Park, but their bullpen surrendered three home runs over the final three innings Tuesday. With Ashcraft capable of working deeper into the game and reducing Pittsburgh's reliance on its middle relievers, the Pirates offer the stronger full-game pitching path.
Spread Pick: Athletics +1.0 (-121)
The Athletics +1.0 spread provides protection in a matchup that projects to remain competitive. Oakland has scored at least five runs in five consecutive games and has several hitters producing at a high level, led by Kurtz and Gelof.
Civale's return also gives the Athletics a veteran starter with a strong career record against Pittsburgh. Even if the Pirates win behind Ashcraft, Oakland's power and home-field setting create a realistic path to a one-run final.
A tie after nine innings would result in a push at +1.0 if Pittsburgh eventually wins by one in extra innings, depending on the sportsbook's listed run-line settlement. The Pirates moneyline remains the preferred side, while the Athletics spread fits the expectation of a close series finale.
Total Pick: Under 10.0 (-103)
The Under 10 is preferable to chasing another offensive eruption after the teams combined for 13 and 11 runs in the first two games. Ashcraft enters with a 3.30 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and has consistently limited damage away from Pittsburgh.
Civale's first start back creates uncertainty, but his career success against the Pirates gives him a reasonable path to five competitive innings. Pittsburgh's offense also remains without Cruz, while Oakland is missing Rooker from the middle of its order.
The bullpens introduce late scoring risk after Tuesday's game produced four home runs from the sixth inning onward. However, the available total of 10 creates push protection and allows the game to finish 5-5 after nine innings without losing the wager.
Top Player Prop Picks
Nick Kurtz Over 0.5 Hits + Walks (-135) Kurtz has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, batting .327 with a .479 on-base percentage over his last 15 games. He recorded a ninth-inning single Tuesday after hitting two home runs and driving in five runs during Monday's opener. Ashcraft is a difficult matchup, but Kurtz can clear this line with either one hit or one walk.
Zack Gelof Over 0.5 Hits (-195) Gelof carries a 20-game hitting streak into the series finale after going 3-for-3 with a home run Tuesday. He has recorded six hits through the first two games of the series and continues to produce both contact and power from the lower half of Oakland's lineup.
Bryan Reynolds Over 0.5 Hits (-230) Reynolds enters after a four-hit performance that included two home runs and three RBIs. Civale has allowed 65 hits over 55.2 innings this season, creating a favorable contact opportunity for Pittsburgh's hottest hitter. Reynolds should receive multiple plate appearances against Civale before facing an Athletics bullpen that allowed him to homer twice Tuesday.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
- Check out more MLB predictions
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
