Game Overview
The Pirates (52–69) are in Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (75–44) tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13th, with first pitch set for 2:10 PM ET (FanDuel Sports Network, MLBN out-of-market, also streaming on MLB.TV). Milwaukee leads the NL Central and is eyeing home-field position, while Pittsburgh is trying to raise its competitive profile. These early summer matchups offer high leverage for MLB bettors. See more expert breakdowns on our MLB previews hub: https://sportsgamepicks.com/category/mlb/
Team Analysis
The Brewers are a model of consistency—power balanced with discipline, timely defense, and a bullpen that’s clicking. The Pirates lean on their #1 arm, Mitch Keller, to give length. Offensively, Pittsburgh lacks sustained impact but can score in bunches in short bursts.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record / ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | Brandon Woodruff | 4–0, 2.29 ERA | Elite performance returning from injury—controls both sides of the plate, induces weak contact, and limits walks. Breakout so far this season. ESPN.com+4CBSSports.com+4ESPN.com+4ESPN.com+3RotoWire+3ESPN.com+3 |
| Pirates | Mitch Keller | 5–10, 3.86 ERA | Solid season ahead of his record; generates grounders and gets enough whiffs. Needs run support to turn his output into wins. MLB.comESPN.com |
Assessment: Woodruff holds the clear advantage both in recent performance and home environment. Keller’s proven track record keeps Pittsburgh in it, but Milwaukee’s margin for error is slimmer than most.
Head-to-Head & Storylines
Milwaukee has owned this matchup historically, and the recent form speaks loudly. Expect the Brewers to press early, while Pittsburgh must lean on Keller and hope for a short start to unlock the bats.
Key Players to Watch
- Brewers: Christian Yelich — veteran leadership with clutch pop; Isaac Collins — young spark and speed.
- Pirates: Oneil Cruz — racks up extra-base hits; Paul Skenes — long-term ace, short-term potential if he’s activated.
Recent Form & Critical Factors
Milwaukee has won nine in a row, with dominant pitching and consistent offense. Pittsburgh is 1–4 in Keller’s starts but remains dangerous in series. Frontier Field (aka American Family Field) is pitcher-friendly, favoring Woodruff’s control profile. Don’t miss any of today’s matchups—explore more MLB game previews now: https://sportsgamepicks.com/category/mlb/
Best Bets & Prediction
- Brewers Moneyline — Projected edge with Woodruff’s form and home-field comfort.
- Under 7.5 Runs — Two sinker/ground-ball pitchers in a contact-suppressing park points low.
- First Five Innings – Brewers ML — Woodruff sets the tone; Keller may not go deep in a run-weary Pirates squad.
Final Score Prediction:
Brewers 4 – Pirates 1. Milwaukee snaps its win streak with precision pitching, efficient offense, and bullpen polish.
