Today's starting pitching matchup features Pittsburgh Pirates's Braxton Ashcraft (5-3, 3.30 ERA) against Oakland Athletics's Aaron Civale (5-2, 4.20 ERA).

Both starters carry similar ERAs, setting the stage for a potential pitchers' duel. WHIP: Braxton Ashcraft 1.10, Aaron Civale 1.47.

Advanced metrics: Braxton Ashcraft — FIP 3.09, K% 26.2%, 84.7 IP / Aaron Civale — FIP 5.47, K% 15.9%, 55.7 IP

2026 season record: Pittsburgh Pirates 37-37 (.500), Oakland Athletics 36-37 (.493).

Recent form: Pittsburgh Pirates on a 1-game win streak, Oakland Athletics on a 1-game losing streak.

Based on starting pitching, Pittsburgh Pirates holds the edge.

Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen: 13 relievers on the active roster. Key arms: Brandan Bidois 5.14 ERA, 17K in 14.0IP, Braxton Ashcraft 3.30 ERA, 90K in 84.2IP, Bubba Chandler 4.76 ERA, 68K in 68.0IP.

Oakland Athletics bullpen: 13 relievers on the active roster. Key arms: Elvis Alvarado 5.63 ERA, 20K in 16.0IP, Gage Jump 3.09 ERA, 19K in 23.1IP, Hogan Harris (Closer) 3.12 ERA, 40K in 34.2IP.

Projected win probability: Pittsburgh Pirates 52% vs Oakland Athletics 48%

Factors: Pittsburgh Pirates's starter owns the lower ERA, Oakland Athletics's home-field advantage. Of course, baseball's inherent randomness means actual results may differ.

Workload comparison: Braxton Ashcraft averages 6.0 IP per start vs. Aaron Civale at 5.1 IP. Getting six-plus innings from the starter significantly eases the bullpen burden.

Aaron Civale has allowed 12 HR this season — a concern against a lineup with extra-base power.