San Diego Padres vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 8/26/26, 12:44 PM  by Bill Christy | Modified on 8/29/26 at 9:36 PM in MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres will conclude their 3-game series this evening in San Diego. The Pirates will have a chance to pick up the rare road sweep if they can be successful tonight.

Both lineups have been quiet through the 1st two games of the series. In part due to some strong pitching. In game one, Braxton Ashcraft held the Padres to just 1 run on 4 hits in 6 innings. On the other side, Robbie Ray held the Pirates to 2 runs on 5 hits. Neither factored into the decision as the Pirates stole one in extra innings, 3-2.

In game two, each team had their ace on the mound, and both pitched as expected. Paul Skenes pitched 6 innings of scoreless work. Doval, Soto, and Montgomery came in to clean up the rest of the game and completed the combined shutout. Michael King was stellar for the Padres as well. He struck out 7 in 7 innings and left without allowing a run. However, Mason Miller allowed a solo shot in the 9th to Oneill Cruz, which ended up being the difference in the 1-0 Pirates win.

Today, the pitching is likely to be less of a factor. Neither starter has an ERA of 4.00 or less. Both Bubba Chandler of the Pirates and Randy Vasquez have allowed 6 runs in their last 2 starts.