The New York Yankees travel to PNC Park for Game 1 of a three-game series beginning this afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Max Fried didn’t get off to the best start in his Bronx career, but my Yankees vs. Pirates predictions expect a better outing for the New York lefty today.
Read on for my MLB picks for Friday, April 4.
Yankees vs Pirates prediction
My Yankees vs Pirates best bet: Max Fried Over 5.5 strikeouts (-115 at DraftKings)
The New York Yankees are heavily favored to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Bucs home opener. Yankees offseason acquisition Max Fried is expected to take the bump, and he’s coming off a regrettable season opener.
Fried kept the ball in the yard but surrendered seven hits and two earned runs across 4 2/3 frames. He whiffed four Diamondbacks in his season opener, and his strikeout total is a good bet to target this afternoon.
Fried hasn’t dominated this group of Bucs, but he has kept them in check. The veteran southpaw whiffed 22 of these current Pirates bats in 93 plate appearances, and I believe he can strike out 6+ today at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh has some big swingers with significant whiff rates. Fried has struck out this lineup nearly 25% of the time. Pittsburgh has power, and they also have some speed, but they also strike out a ton.
The sample size is small, but the Pirates own a 25% strikeout rate this year, which balloons to 47% against lefties.
Fried has had success picking apart this big-swinging Pirates lineup, and I’m betting he strikes out 6+ today.
Yankees vs Pirates same-game parlay (SGP)
Max Fried Over 5.5 strikeouts
Adam Frazier to get a hit
Cody Bellinger 2+ total bases
I like Fried to have a strong outing, but Adam Frazier has some history against the southpaw, while Yankees slugger Cody Bellinger could be in line for a big day against Mitch Keller.
The fastball-mashing Frazier is the Pirates’ leadoff hitter and RBI leader with at least one hit in four of six and two singles in nine at-bats against Fried.
Bellinger hasn’t set the world on fire yet in pinstripes, but he has a chance to correct this. The lefty slugger is 5-for-13 with four doubles against Keller.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Yankees vs Pirates odds
Yankees vs Pirates live odds
Yankees vs Pirates opening odds
- Moneyline: New York -150 | Pittsburgh +125
- Run line: New York -1.5 (+110) | Pittsburgh +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)
Yankees vs Pirates trend
The Pirates have hit the team total Under in 12 of their last 17 games (+5.60 Units / 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Pirates.
How to watch Yankees vs Pirates and game info
| Location | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Friday, 4-4-2025 |
| First pitch | 4:12 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES, SportsNet Pittsburgh |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Max Fried (0-0, 3.86 ERA) |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Mitch Keller (1-0, 1.50 ERA) |
Yankees vs Pirates latest injuries
Yankees vs Pirates weather
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