Pitchers and catchers are reporting. Spring is here.
Now’s the time to look for value on the MLB futures market.
I’m starting in Pittsburgh, where the always-disappointing Pirates may be starting to turn things around with a strong pitching staff.
The Pirates are led by reigning National League Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes, but there’s plenty of talent behind him in their rotation.
Mitch Keller provides a solid veteran presence behind Skenes, while youngsters Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft are expected to play a big role this season.
Jared Jones, who showed ace-like flashes in 2024 before elbow injuries started plaguing him and took him out for the 2025 season, is hopeful to return early in the year.
While their offense is far from their strength, it should be much-improved over last season, after adding sluggers Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn in free agency in addition to trading for second baseman Brandon Lowe.
The top prospect in all of baseball, Konnor Griffin, is also knocking on the door of the majors, giving the Pirates a potential major boost in their lineup.
In an underwhelming National League Central, the stat nerds are expecting them to be around .500, with PECOTA and ZiPS both projecting the Pirates to go above 80 wins for the first time since 2018.
Oddsmakers slightly disagree with those rosy outlooks, pegging their win total a bit lower, likely given bettors’ relative disinterest in one of baseball’s smallest market clubs.
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Bet on Pittsburgh to be the surprise team in 2026.
The play: Pirates Over 76.5 wins (-115, DraftKings Sportsbook) and make the postseason (+425)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.