The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Boston Red Sox on August 16, 2026. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet PT.
The Red Sox are favored by -119 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Pirates are +103 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Red Sox vs Pirates prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Red Sox vs Pirates Prediction
- Red Sox vs Pirates Pick: Nick Gonzales Over 1.5 Hits (+190, BetMGM)
My Red Sox vs Pirates best bet is on Nick Gonzales to go over his hits total. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Red Sox vs Pirates Odds
| Red Sox Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -170 | 8.5 -100o / -120u | -119 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +140 | 8.5 -100o / -120u | +103 |
- Red Sox vs Pirates moneyline: Red Sox -119, Pirates +103
- Red Sox vs Pirates over/under: 8.5 (-100o / -120u)
- Red Sox vs Pirates spread: Red Sox -1.5 (+140), Pirates +1.5 (-170)
Red Sox vs Pirates Probable Pitchers
| RHP Patrick Sandoval (BOS) | Stat | RHP Lake Bachar (PIT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | W-L | 1-2 |
| 0.6 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.1 |
| 3.30/4.59 | ERA / xERA | 3.97/3.66 |
| 3.85/4.32 | FIP / xFIP | 4.62/4.12 |
| 11.8% | K-BB% | 16.7% |
| 35.2% | GB% | 38.4% |
| .389 | BABIP | .221 |
| 103 | Stuff+ | 98 |
| 95 | Location+ | 98 |
Red Sox vs Pirates MLB Betting Preview
The Boston Red Sox (66-57) wrap up their interleague series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (59-64) on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.
Boston snapped a multi-game slide on Saturday night behind a masterclass performance from veteran right-hander Sonny Gray, who logged seven scoreless innings to earn his MLB-leading 15th victory in a 4-0 shutout.
The Red Sox offense has struggled for consistency in mid-August—going 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position Saturday—but power from outfielder Wilyer Abreu (22nd home run) provided all the separation Boston needed to secure the victory.
The Pirates enter Sunday looking to split the series after dropping Saturday’s contest. Pittsburgh’s lineup was quieted by Gray, managing six hits and leaving runners stranded in key spots.
However, the Pirates have maintained a competitive edge at home throughout August, backed by steady contact from the top and middle of their order. With both teams looking to capture momentum heading into next week's series, Sunday's finale presents a pivotal matchup.
Red Sox vs Pirates Pick, Betting Analysis
Our PRO Projections system models flagged a high-value prop pick in this game, with Pittsburgh infielder Nick Gonzales.
Gonzales has been one of the team's most reliable high-average bats throughout August, maintaining an overall season batting average over .300. PRO Projections project Gonzales for 1.38 hits in Sunday's matchup—one of the highest raw hit projections on the slate.
Gonzales regularly occupies a premium slot in the Pirates' batting order, ensuring maximum plate appearances (projected at 4.33 PAs today). Hitting higher in the lineup gives him 4 to 5 opportunities to log multiple hits.
PNC Park favors right-handed line-drive hitters who can utilize the gaps. Gonzales' barrel control and ability to spray hits to all fields line up well against standard right-handed high-velocity/spin profiles, making him a primary target for multi-hit props.
Pick: Nick Gonzales Over 1.5 Hits (+190, BetMGM)
