Docs Website

54 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2026 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions with Odds to Win World Series and Futures Picks

by Ryan Cobbett - 3/23/2026

Pittsburgh Pirates predictions Paul Skenes

The Paul Skenes-led Pittsburgh Pirates will be looking to make a move and claim a wild card this season. The Milwaukee Brewers have regressed over the course of the offseason, and the Pirates have a loaded farm system with some exciting talent that could boost their roster. They added a slew of veteran power bats to boost their lineup, and they have some serious upside in the rotation behind Skenes. There is a lot to like about the Pirates this season.

Doc’s Sports offers MLB expert picks for every game on our baseball predictions page.

Summary of Last Season

Last season was a tough one for the Pirates. They finished last in the NL Central with a 71-91 record, which was also the third worst record in the National League. They went 32-42 in one run or extra inning games and they finished the season with a -62-run differential. While they were solid at home, they struggled on the road. Their 27-54 road record was tied for the second worst road record in the MLB.

The lack of production from this lineup was a big reason why the Pirates struggled. They finished last in the league in runs scored (583), averaging just 3.6 runs per game. The Pirates also finished 28th in hits, last in homeruns, 15th in stolen bases, and last in OPS. Jared Triolo was the team leader in WAR, finishing with a 2.4 mark. He did this in 107 games after a strong defensive showing. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Spencer Horwitz were tied for second on the team with a 1.6 WAR. Oneil Cruz led the team with 20 homeruns and 38 stolen bases. Bryan Reynolds was second on the team with 16 homeruns, while he led the way with 73 RBIs. Kiner-Falefa and Triolo finished second and third in stolen bases with 15 and 13 steals, and Horwitz finished fourth on the team with 11 homeruns.

The pitching staff was strong, led by arguably the best pitcher in baseball. The Pirates finished seventh in team ERA (3.76), third in homeruns allowed (153), and fourth in WHIP (1.22). Skenes was no doubt the leader of the Pittsburgh pitching staff. He led the way with a 7.6 WAR, 187.2 innings pitched, 10 wins, 20 quality starts, a 0.95 WHIP, 216 strikeouts, and a 1.97 ERA. Mitch Keller was a consistent arm behind Skenes, adding 17 quality starts in 176.1 innings pitched. Dennis Santana finished second of the Pirates pitchers with a 2.7 WAR after recording a 2.18 ERA in 70.1 innings of work, recording 16 saves and 13 holds.

Key Additions/Losses

At the end of the regular season, the Pirates got busy. They saw infielder/outfielder Ryan Kreidler get claimed, outfielders Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen become free agents, and they later non-tendered outfielder Alexander Canario and pitchers Dauri Moreta and Colin Holderman. They traded starter Johan Oviedo, starter Mike Burrows, reliever Chase Shugart, and reliever Kyle Nicolas.

As for the additions, they replenished their bullpen with Gregory Soto, Jaiker Garcia, Mason Montgomery, Noah Davis, and Chris Devenski. Pittsburgh added rotation depth with the signings of Carson Fulmer, Mike Clevinger, and Jose Urquidy. They also boosted the lineup with the additions of outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, second baseman Brandon Lower, outfielder Jake Mangum, outfielder Domini Fletcher, first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, and infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan.

Prospect Outlook

While the Pirates do their best to finesse their way into a wild card spot, they added some veterans to boost the lineup, but they also have one of the best farm systems in the league. The Pirates have the third highest rated minor league system behind just the Brewers and Guardians. Pittsburgh has five players featured in the MLB’s Top 100 Prospect Rankings. Shortstop/Outfielder Konnor Griffin is the top ranked prospect in the MLB. While he will be starting the year in the minors, look for him to have a strong impact on the Pirates this season. He is followed by right-handers Bubba Chandler (11th) and Seth Hernandez (29th), outfielder/first baseman Edward Florentino (50th), and lef-hander Hunter Barco (96th). Both Chandler and Barco are expected to join Griffin on the Pirates big-league roster at some point this season.

X-Factors

The Front Office- The Pirates front office showed signs of a buy-in when they added Ozuna, O’Hearn, Lowe, Soto, and Devenski. With a loaded farm system, they have plenty of talent to dangle in front of teams who decide to sell in the summer. While Griffin will be untouchable, there are a lot of other prospects that they can package together to boost the bullpen and the lineup.

The Budding Stars- The Pirates were boosted to a winning window as soon as Skenes got on the mound in Pittsburgh. Now they have another generational talent in Griffin. He is a five-tool player who could immediately boost the lineup. Chandler joins Jared Jones as intriguing young power arms behind Skenes that could give them a solid rotation to shut down opponents in the playoffs. They also have young hitters in Cruz, Nick Gonzales, and Henry Davis that could bloom into fine serviceable players. There is a lot to like in Pittsburgh.

2026 Pittsburgh Pirates Notable Odds:

Win Total: 78.5

World Series Champions- +5500

Pennant Winners- +3000

Division Winners- +600

NL MVP- Paul Skenes +3500

NL MVP- Oneil Cruz +12500

NL Cy Young- Paul Skenes +240

NL Cy Young- Bubba Chandler +12500

NL Rookie of the Year- Konnor Griffin +250

NL Rookie of the Year- Bubba Chandler +2200

NL Rookie of the Year- Hunter Barco +5000

2026 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions

I like Pittsburgh this year. They have the potential to be even better than Milwaukee, and it is likely they can snag a wild card. Take the over on the win total, especially if Jones and Chandler can join Keller as a consistent arm behind Skenes. Skenes at +240 to win another Cy Young is a great value pick as he was dominant in the World Baseball Classic and will once again be a big piece in any success the Pirates have. Griffin has the best tools of any prospect in baseball. And while he is starting the year in the minors, he will get plenty of time to piece together a season worthy of the Rookie of the Year (+250). Don’t sleep on Pittsburgh, they are young and hungry.

Get MLB picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers