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Brewers vs Pirates Picks and Predictions September 5th 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers may boast the best record in baseball, but they’re limping into their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Injuries have decimated Milwaukee’s bullpen, and with the postseason in sight, the timing couldn’t be worse.
On the other side, Pittsburgh is on fire, fresh off a sweep of the Dodgers and looking to pile on the pressure against a weakened Brewers squad.
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Injury Bug Bites Brewers Bullpen
The Brewers have dropped three of their last four games and are just 8-11 since August 17. The big reason? A suddenly paper-thin bullpen. Shelby Miller is done for the season, Logan Henderson likely is too, and DL Hall, Trevor McGill, and Grant Anderson are all on various timelines for return.
Manager Pat Murphy admitted Thursday that another unnamed reliever could be heading to the IL as early as Friday. Based on Thursday’s bullpen activity, the likely candidates include Craigh Yoho, Erick Fedde, or Nick Mears — none of whom pitched or warmed up.
“There’s gonna be another announcement,” Murphy hinted. “We’ll deal with it when it happens.”
Milwaukee will need Quinn Priester (11-2, 3.28 ERA) to be sharp as ever. The righty has been phenomenal, winning 10 straight decisions and not losing since May 13. The Brewers have won all 16 games he’s pitched in during that stretch.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Priester faces Pirates starter Johan Oviedo (2-0, 3.60 ERA), who is slowly finding rhythm after Tommy John surgery. Oviedo has been strong in limited action, throwing 79 pitches in his last outing — his longest of the season — and giving up just two runs over five innings against Boston.
| Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | Recent Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinn Priester | Brewers | 11-2 | 3.28 | 10 straight wins, unbeaten since May |
| Johan Oviedo | Pirates | 2-0 | 3.60 | Building back post-surgery |
Pittsburgh Surging at Just the Right Time
The Pirates (64-77) are one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 12 of their last 16 games. They’ve taken down several playoff-bound teams in that span and are riding high after sweeping the Dodgers at home.
“Just really proud of our guys,” interim manager Don Kelly said. “They’ve committed to the approach, and they keep getting better.”
Oviedo has made six career appearances against the Brewers with a 2-2 record and 4.50 ERA. Friday marks his fifth start of the year, and he’s steadily ramping up his pitch count and confidence.
Betting Prediction and Insights
This series is far from a lock for Milwaukee. The bullpen is shaky, and Pittsburgh has momentum. With both starters coming off solid outings, expect a low-scoring battle in the opener.
Pick: Pirates ML (+125)
Final Score Prediction: Pirates 4, Brewers 3
Track more MLB picks and predictions throughout the weekend slate.
Odds Movement & Strategy
With Milwaukee’s injuries piling up, expect sharp bettors to lean on the underdog Pirates early. Be sure to monitor updated lines on the MLB scores and odds page for sharp movement.
You can always get the inside track from the MLB expert betting guide to understand angles beyond the box score.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Trend | Key Injury Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | 2-3 | Slumping | 4+ relievers on IL, more expected |
| Pirates | 4-1 | Surging | Swept Dodgers, strong rotation rebound |
FAQs
Who’s starting for the Brewers vs Pirates opener?
Quinn Priester takes the mound for Milwaukee, while Johan Oviedo starts for Pittsburgh.
Why are the Brewers struggling?
A wave of injuries has thinned their bullpen depth considerably, making late-game leads tougher to hold.
How hot are the Pirates right now?
Red hot — they’ve won 12 of their last 16, including a sweep of the Dodgers.
Where can I find more betting info?
Visit ScoresandStats MLB Picks and the Expert Betting Guide
