MLB matchup analysis

Pirates vs Brewers Prediction, Odds and Model Pick

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at American Family Field · 7:40 PM ET

Pass

LyDia decision: Pass on Pirates vs Brewers

Lab Rating
6.2/10
Model lean
Brewers 58.7%
Market probability
55.4%
Model edge
+3.3%
Best moneyline
-132
Sportsbooks checked
4
LyDia model
58.7%
Market
55.4%

The case for Milwaukee Brewers

Late-inning bullpen advantage
Pittsburgh Pirates relievers have a 4.11 ERA over the last 7 days; Milwaukee Brewers relievers have a 5.32. If this is still close after six innings, that gap favors Milwaukee Brewers.

The case for Pittsburgh Pirates

The case is thin
The model finds little going Pittsburgh Pirates's way — it trails on the pitching plan, bullpen, and recent form. The main path to a Pittsburgh Pirates win is variance.

Why it is not official

Below the 61.0% official gate
Win probability is 58.7%. LyDia does not make a game official below 61.0%, no matter how good the price is. This is a value spot, not a high-confidence winner.
Setup quality below the bar
Lab Rating is 6.2/10, under the 8.0/10 required for an official pick.
Own bullpen carries risk: 6.3/10
The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen comes in tired. A lead after six innings is less safe than usual.

Why the setup score is what it is

Conviction: 17.33/35
LyDia leans toward Milwaukee Brewers, but not strongly enough to earn full conviction credit.
Pitching plan: 6/20
No meaningful starting-pitcher edge favors Milwaukee Brewers in this matchup.
The verdict LyDia passes. The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Read the full model output

The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Game information

MatchupPittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
DateWednesday, August 5, 2026
First pitch7:40 PM ET
VenueAmerican Family Field
Starting pitchersPaul Skenes vs Kyle Harrison
WeatherGame-time forecast: 73°F, 42% precipitation chance, 3 mph wind from E. This venue has a roof, but the roof status is not confirmed.

Starting pitcher matchup

Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →
Paul SkenesPirates · RHP
3.90ERA
1.11WHIP
11.3K/9
24.2%K-BB%
vs
Kyle HarrisonBrewers · LHP
3.01ERA
1.08WHIP
10.9K/9
23.8%K-BB%
MetricPiratesBrewers
Pitching planTraditional starterTraditional starter
Expected innings5⅓5
ThrowsRL
LyDia pitcher score (higher is better)7274
BB/9 (lower is better)2.32.2
HR/9 (lower is better)0.91.1
Ground-ball rate45.2%41.1%

Pitcher edge: LyDia gives Kyle Harrison a 2-point edge over Paul Skenes, driven mainly by ERA (3.01 vs 3.90) and BB/9 (2.2 vs 2.3).

How to read this: the scorecards show ERA, WHIP, K/9, and K-BB%. The table adds complementary traits without repeating them. Highlighted cells mark a gap big enough to matter. HR/9 is home runs allowed per nine innings. Ground-ball rate is neither good nor bad on its own: high ground-ball pitchers trade strikeouts for double plays and fewer home runs.

Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →

Paul Skenes strikeouts
6.4 LyDia projected Ks
No K play · -0.1K difference is below LyDia's 0.7K threshold
Market 6.5K · O -148 / U +122 · 6 books
Kyle Harrison strikeouts
5.9 LyDia projected Ks
No K play · -0.6K difference is below LyDia's 0.7K threshold
Market 6.5K · O +132 / U -154 · 6 books

Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.

Pirates are 4-6 in their last 10, averaging 3.3 runs per game over the last 15 days, and hitting below their season form; Brewers are 6-4 in their last 10 and averaging 4.0 runs per game over the last 15 days. On the season Brewers carry the better run differential per game (+1.20 against +0.25).

MetricPiratesBrewers
Last 104-66-4
Last 10 by venue (away team on the road, home team at home)4-6 on the road7-3 at home
OPS, last 15 days0.6000.724
Runs per game, last 15 days3.34.0
K% last 15 days (lower is better)24.7%20.1%

Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.

30-day offense

Full offense tool →
Last 30 daysPiratesBrewers
OPS0.695 (-0.053 vs szn)0.733
Runs per game4.54 (-0.537 vs szn)4.52 (-0.453 vs szn)
wOBA (model offense input)0.310 (-0.022 vs szn)0.325
K% (lower is better)24.8% (+0.7% vs szn)21.2%

Over the last 30 days the Brewers have been the better offense, 0.325 wOBA to 0.310. Pirates are striking out at 24.8% over the window — something the opposing starter can lean on.

Season profile

Full Stats page →
MetricPiratesBrewers
Record57-5870-43
Run differential / game (team quality)+0.25+1.20
Runs scored / game (offense, season)5.084.97
Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better)4.833.77
Season OPS0.7480.735
K% season (lower is better)24.1%21.1%
OPS vs opposing hand (season)0.6930.754

Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.

Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. Pirates and Brewers are highlighted.

Pirates
Combined risk
8.1 Tired
Fatigue
7.9 Tired
Efficiency
4.7 Average
Brewers
Combined risk
6.3 Tired
Fatigue
5.9 Normal
Efficiency
4.2 Below average

Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.

MetricPiratesBrewers
Fatigue7.9/10, Tired5.9/10, Normal
Efficiency4.7/10, Average4.2/10, Below average
Combined risk8.1/10, Tired6.3/10, Tired
Relief innings, last 7 days35.022.0
Back-to-back arms45
7-day ERA4.115.32
7-day WHIP1.541.36

Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.

Run total projection

Full Totals Projections →
LyDia projection
7.8
Market total
7.5
Projected away runs
3.9
Projected home runs
3.1
Over price
-114
Under price
+103
Pittsburgh Pirates team total
3.9 projected
Line 3.5 · O +102 / U -121
No team-total lean
Milwaukee Brewers team total
3.1 projected
Line 3.5 · O -111 / U -105
No team-total lean

The model and market are close. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.

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