Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview for 2026

Since 2015 when the Pittsburgh Pirates finished 98-64, they have yet to finish above .500 in any regular season.

With Pittsburgh fans hungry for a return to baseball competence, it feels like ownership — on the precipice of looming Collective Bargaining Agreement issues — has taken the initiative to at least try to field a competitive baseball roster in 2026.

In an attempt to provide their formidable pitching staff with an offense capable of providing run support, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was finally given the green light from ownership to spend some cash and invested on a few notable free-agent bats.

After spending on Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’hearn in free agency, Cherington then dipped into the trade market, acquiring Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay. All of the sudden, Pirates fans have some real names in the lineup that can do damage.

That’s not even all the help coming.

Breaking down the Pirates betting menu for 2026, we can definitely set our sights on futures that might put the ball club in a position they want to be this year.

All odds listed come from BetMGM. If you want to sign up, you can do so through this link to receive a first bet offer where new users can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.

Win Total – Over/Under

PIT Over/Under: 78.5 wins (-115/-105)

I know this isn’t where Pirates fans wanted to see the team’s projected win line come in at for the 2026 season, but I’m here to provide a positive spin.

Already from last year, we have seen an improvement in this preseason projection as the total for the Pirates in 2025 was 76.5 wins. BetMGM has now given the Pirates two whole wins on that line coming into 2026 and the over is favored.

If you are a believer in this new-look Pirates offense, there is hope that they can do the impossible and finish with a winning record, far clear of 79 wins.

Pittsburgh Pirates National League Central Odds: +600

It’s crazy, but objectively, not that crazy.

First off, +600 is a considerably very low price for the Pirates to win the NL Central in 2026, which is good if you want the books to back the ideology that the team will be much improved this year.

Still, the team sits as the projected fourth place finisher in the division with the order going Chicago (+110), Milwaukee (+240), Cincinnati (+500), Pittsburgh, and St. Louis (+3000).

What are the Odds the Pirates win the NL Pennant in 2026?

Pittsburgh Pirates National League Winner: +3000

Think about how you view the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates individually for the 2026 season. Without much question, it feels like these two franchises are in two totally different places compete-wise.

Only a few years removed from winning 100+ games, the Giants and the Pirates have the same exact odds to win the National League and make it to the World Series this season.

Without a doubt, it’s a longshot, but the improvement from Pittsburgh is noteworthy.

Los Angeles leads the pack here at +115, as they seek their third straight World Series championship.

How Big of Underdogs are the Pirates in World Series Odds?

Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Winner: +6660

Even while acknowledging the strides the Pirates organization has made over the last year, they simply are not at the level of these World Series-caliber teams.

Again, the incumbent Dodgers lead the field at +220, while the Yankees are a distant second at +1000.

Can a Starting Pitcher win National League MVP?

Paul Skenes National League MVP Winner: +3500

The feat hasn’t been accomplished since Clayton Kershaw won the award in 2014, but if any pure starting pitcher were to surmount that feat, I’d put Paul Skenes up there.

In order for a starting pitcher to win the MVP award, either the field that year has to be relatively weak enough, or they’d likely have to break some crazy record or eclipse a monumental milestone.

Looking at the top of this list, Shohei Ohtani leads the pack at -145 while Juan Soto trails in second at +800.

Breaking Down the NL Cy Young Race for Skenes:

Paul Skenes National League Cy Young Winner: +200

After posting a 1.97 ERA in 32 starts last season, Skenes took home his second major award of his playing career.

Hunting a perfect three-for-three start to his resume, Skenes comes in as the favorite per BetMGM to win the Cy Young again in 2026, and bag another award for the trophy case.

Trailing Skenes is Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (+550) and Phillies’ ace Cristopher Sanchez (+700) for the Cy Young Award.

NL Rookie of the Year Starting in Triple-A?

Konnor Griffin National League ROTY Winner: +400

When Paul Skenes came up late in 2024 he pitched so well that he left voters no choice but to excuse his lack of full season counting stats and give him the Rookie of the Year award.

Funnily enough, it appears we might have a similar situation on our hands in 2026.

Konnor Griffin currently sits with the second-best odds to win the award, only trailing Mets starter Nolan McLean (+280), and Griffin isn’t even making the team’s Opening Day roster out of spring training.

With this lack of competition, Griffin could explode onto the scene in 2026 and just like his teammate, win the Rookie of the Year award even after being held in the minors to further develop.

Which Pirates Future Makes the Most Sense?

Paul Skenes National League Cy Young Winner: +200 ✅

Sometimes, you gotta take the layups.

Not only are we getting two-to-one on our money with this future, we are backing one of the most prolific young arms baseball has ever seen.

Year one: Rookie of the Year.

Year two: Cy Young winner.

Why would year three be any different?

All Skenes has shown us so far in his career is that not only is he flat-out dominant, but he is also very durable.

320.2 innings pitched to the tune of a career 1.96 ERA is nothing short of special, and I suggest you cash in on Skenes while the wager is at plus money.

As the season progresses, Skenes’ line for Cy Young will only worsen in price as it becomes more likely he wins the award, which, at that point, would be irresponsible to bet. Barring freak injury, there is no reason in good faith to fade Paul Skenes in the Cy Young race for 2026.