Padres vs Pirates Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

Phil Naessens - Contributor at Covers.com
Phil Naessens • Betting Analyst 19+ years betting experience
Updated: Apr 7, 2026 , 09:28 AM ET • 4 min read

The Padres will prevail at PNC Park tonight, and there will be more runs scored than the bookmakers expect, per our MLB betting picks.

MLB

Match starts: 7 hrs
SD
34 %
PIT
66 %
EXPERT PICK - MONEYLINE
San Diego +135 San Diego +135
Read Analysis
San Diego Padres MLB Jackson Merrill
Photo By - Reuters Connect. San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run.

The San Diego Padres look to make it two straight over the Pittsburgh Pirates when they meet tonight at chilly PNC Park.

The Padres' bats are rolling, and my Padres vs. Pirates predictions expect that to continue against Paul Skenes and the Pirates' shaky bullpen. 

Read on for my MLB picks for Tuesday, April 7. 

Who will win Padres vs Pirates today: Padres moneyline (+135)

The San Diego Padres got the bats going last night, and I’m backing them again tonight at a great price against Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Skenes has electric stuff but isn’t untouchable, and we’ve already seen some early cracks. Nick Pivetta brings a 28.9% whiff rate and nearly 14 strikeouts per nine, facing a Pirates lineup that strikes out 23% against righties.

The Padres also have the best bullpen in baseball and have won three straight on the road.

I’ll side with the more consistent offense and deeper pitching staff at this absurd price. 

Covers COVERS INTEL: Nick Pivetta's fastball usage has spiked from 47% to 59% in 2026, generating a 27.6% whiff rate.

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Padres vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Over 6.5 (-106)

Skenes won't pitch the entire game, and Pittsburgh's bullpen walks 5.45 batters per nine, meaning free baserunners are practically guaranteed tonight. 

Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Ramón Laureano are in mid-season form, while Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, and Ryan O'Hearn all carry wRC+ over 169.

San Diego proved the weather excuse hollow by dropping five runs at PNC Park last night, and Pittsburgh's lineup isn't getting blanked twice.

One crooked inning from either side cashes this ticket, and the number is below the key number seven, which makes this a good bet. 

Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 1-1 +0.10 units
  • Over/Under bets: 1-0, +1.0 units

Padres vs Pirates odds

  • Moneyline: San Diego +138 | Pittsburgh -113
  • Run line: San Diego +1.5 (-213) | Pittsburgh -1.5 (+156)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-122) | Under 6.5 (-113)

Padres vs Pirates trend

The Padres have hit the moneyline in 8 of their last 11 games (+4.65 Units / 32% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Pirates.

How to watch Padres vs Pirates and game info

Location PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Date Tuesday, April 7, 2026
First pitch 6:40 p.m. ET
TV SDPA, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta
(1-1, 6.75 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes
(1-1, 9.53 ERA)

Padres vs Pirates latest injuries

Padres vs Pirates weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu, Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the Crush and Rush Tennis Podcast.

Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications, including Advance Local, SB Nation, FanSided, and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. 

His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe, and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.

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