Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions June 3rd 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros June 3rd 2025

The Houston Astros travel to PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM under the lights of a warm night with few clouds. Fans can catch the action on SN PT.

The Astros, managed by Joe Espada, enter the game with a 32-27 record. Lance McCullers Jr. will be on the mound for the Astros, looking to improve his season stats. The Pirates, led by Don Kelly, hold a 22-38 record. Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates, aiming to add to his 4-5 record with a solid ERA of 2.15.

Astros vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Houston Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
• Betting Odds: Pirates MoneyLine -145, Astros MoneyLine +123

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros are coming off a tight 1-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hunter Brown delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing only one hit. Jeremy Peña led the offense with two hits and one run, showing his ability to impact games.

The Astros have a solid team batting average of .254, ranking sixth in the league. Their ability to make contact and get on base is crucial for generating scoring opportunities. With 59 home runs this season, they have the power to change the game’s momentum quickly.

Lance McCullers Jr. will be starting for the Astros in the next game. His recent performance against the Athletics included 12 strikeouts over six innings. The Astros’ pitching staff has a strong strikeout rate, ranking second in the league, which can limit the Pirates’ scoring chances.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the San Diego Padres. In that game, Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier each hit a home run, contributing to the team’s seven hits. The Pirates showed power potential with three extra-base hits, which can be a key factor in their next game.

The Pirates have a strong pitching asset in Paul Skenes, who will start the next game against the Houston Astros. Skenes has an impressive ERA of 2.15 and a WHIP of 0.92, showing he can limit opposing hitters effectively. His ability to keep runs off the board could be crucial for the Pirates’ chances of winning.

Offensively, the Pirates have several players who can make an impact. Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the team with a .303 batting average, while Bryan Reynolds has driven in 34 runs this season. With a mix of power and consistency in their lineup, the Pirates have the tools to secure a win against the Astros.

The Lean

The Pirates are favored with a moneyline of -145, while the Astros are at +123. The Pirates have a stronger pitching lineup, with a 3.66 ERA and a .221 batting average against, ranking 11th and 2nd, respectively. The Astros’ pitching ranks lower, with a 3.96 ERA. Given these stats, the recommendation is to pick the Pirates to win straight up. The model projects the Pirates to win 4-3.

The over/under line is set at 7.5 runs. The Pirates’ pitching strength suggests a lower-scoring game, while the Astros’ pitching allows for more runs. The model projects a total score of 7 runs. Therefore, the recommendation is to take the under on 7.5 runs for this game.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Houston Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates, showing signs of improvement under new management, will host the Houston Astros on Tuesday night to kick off a three-game series. The pitching matchup promises an intriguing battle, with the Pirates’ phenom Paul Skenes looking to continue his dominant run and the Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. aiming to build on a career-tying performance. For all the latest data and figures across the league, you can refer to comprehensive MLB statistics and standings.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Finding Their Stride

The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown signs of resurgence since bench coach Don Kelly took over as manager on May 8th, replacing Derek Shelton. They posted a 3-3 record on their recent road trip, taking two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks before dropping two of three to the San Diego Padres. Despite a bullpen falter in their most recent 6−4 loss on Sunday, Andrew McCutchen’s 240th home run as a Pirate, tying Roberto Clemente for third most in club history, highlights the team’s ongoing progress. McCutchen noted the team’s improved play: “We’re just playing better baseball. It’s the obvious stuff that we’re doing. We’re doing things right, and that’s helping us win some ball games.” The Pirates currently hold a 25−30 record, placing them 4th in the NL Central, 9.0 games behind the Chicago Cubs. Their offense has scored 215 runs (22nd in MLB), with a team batting average of .231 (25th in MLB) and 45 home runs (29th in MLB).

Houston Astros: Riding a Wave of Wins

The Houston Astros are also on an upward trajectory, having won six of their past eight games and seven of their past 10, keeping them near the top of the American League West. They recently split a four-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays, showcasing dramatically different outcomes with two lopsided losses but two tightly contested wins. The Astros hold a 34−22 record, placing them 2nd in the AL West, 2.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners. Their offense ranks 2nd in MLB with 315 runs scored, 2nd in batting average at .270, and 1st in home runs with 80.

Pitching Matchup: Skenes vs. McCullers Jr.

The marquee pitching matchup features Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes (4−5, 2.15 ERA) against Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. (5−3, 3.80 ERA). Skenes has been in Cy Young-candidate form over his past three starts, culminating in a dominant performance in a 10−1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last Wednesday, where he received rare ample run support. Skenes made his lone career start against Houston last season, allowing two runs (one earned) over six innings in a no-decision.

McCullers Jr., who has never pitched against the Pirates, matched a career high with 12 strikeouts in a 5−3 win over the Athletics last Wednesday, allowing three runs over a season-high six innings. This strong outing was a welcome result for McCullers, who has been working his way back from injury and recently dealt with concerning off-field threats related to a prior poor performance. Astros manager Joe Espada voiced his concern about the threats: “There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance tonight. It’s very unfortunate that we have to deal with this.”

Match Outlook

This series opener presents a fascinating contrast: the ascendant Pirates buoyed by Paul Skenes’ brilliance against a surging Astros team with a potent offense and Lance McCullers Jr. looking to solidify his comeback. Skenes’ ability to command the game will be crucial against the powerful Astros lineup, while the Pirates’ improved offense will aim to challenge McCullers. This game is poised to be a tightly contested affair. For more in-depth analysis and expert opinions, check out the MLB Expert Betting Guide.