⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Futures Bets 2026: Could Skenes, Griffin & Co. Shock the NL Central?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still trading as the fourth-biggest favorites (or the second-biggest underdogs) to win the division, and I think they're a perfect sleeper pick in the NL Central. With the best pitcher in baseball, a pair of exciting rookies, and multiple veteran additions during the offseason, I'm all-in on Pittsburgh with my Pirates predictions and NL Central picks.

I've already made multiple Pirates-related futures bets and featured them in my MLB win totals picks ahead of Opening Day, and I'm going to analyze the other markets you should be tracking at the best sports betting sites.

🏴‍☠️ How you should bet on the Pirates in MLB futures markets

I detailed in my MLB win totals sleeper picks and predictions how the Pirates' win total was rising throughout spring training, and that's the case for their other futures odds, too. So make sure to act before it's too late.

They feature the reigning NL Cy Young winner, two legitimate NL Rookie of the Year candidates, and added veterans Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna this offseason.

Pirates to win NL Central

DraftKings had this price at +800 just more than a week ago, and now it's down to +600. Therefore, the best odds on the Pirates to win the NL Central are now FanDuel's +650. That means you lost $15 of potential profit on a $10 wager since Feb. 25. Let that sink in.

That +650 price still carries an implied probability of just 13.33%, while FanGraphs' 2026 standings projections have the Pirates' chances of winning the NL Central at 25.2% as the second-biggest favorite.

Calling the Pirates a sleeper pick at this point is borderline at best, and soon it won't be true at all. The Pirates are priced at +250 to make the playoffs, odds that come with a 28.57% implied probability. Once again, FanGraphs gives Pittsburgh a 43.4% chance of making the postseason. These are just bets you should be making right now.

I believe this team has the talent to quite easily be the second-best team in the division, and if things break right, it absolutely can win the division. These odds are already shortening and will continue to do so throughout March.

I wrote about this in my five MLB futures bets to make before spring training, and I'm still screaming it from the rooftops. Raise the Jolly Roger.

Paul Skenes futures

Skenes, who headlines our WBC pitching betting guide, is a significant favorite to win his second straight NL Cy Young. DraftKings lists him at +225, with fellow WBC star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto at +500. So, one of the best sports betting apps believes Skenes (30.77% implied probability) is nearly twice as likely as anyone else to win the award, with Yamamoto at 16.67%.

I'll likely wait to make sure the big righty emerges from the World Baseball Classic unscathed since I think he'll make two starts, and then bet a full unit on him to win NL CY Young as long as the odds remain around this point. I believe Skenes is on another level compared to the other starters in the NL, and the leading projection models back that up. Here's how the top-four pitchers shake out in terms of projected 2026 fWAR:

You could also target Skenes in the NL MVP race, which I discussed in my MLB awards long-shot bets, or you can bet on him to lead MLB in strikeouts at DraftKings, which prices him as the second-biggest favorite to do so at +400. 

How to approach Konnor Griffin

Konnor Griffin looks ridiculous so far. He has three homers over 15 plate appearances, and he's managed to strike out only twice. However, I just don't love how short his Rookie of the Year odds are with how unknown his status is. If he gets the nod for Opening Day, I could maybe rationalize it a bit more. But still, +280 is so short for a Rookie of the Year candidate in March.

Across the six major awards, he's the fourth-most heavily favorited player, and his odds are in the realm of Aaron Judge for AL MVP and Skenes for NL Cy Young. It's just a tough bet to make when we have no idea what the Pirates will do. Also, he's 19 years old.

As it stands, Nick Gonzales is projected to serve as the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop. Working in Griffin's favor is that Gonzales isn't very good, but the Pirates have yet to really give him a shot and could feel inclined to do so to start the season. Gonzales has also been solid during spring training, which further complicates this situation.

If I was betting on a Pirates rookie right now, on March 3, I would probably pick Bubba Chandler. However, in general I'd probably be more interested in Nolan McLean, who will reportedly start the WBC finals for Team USA if it makes it, or one of the other first-year players featured in my look at the MLB rookies to know before spring training.

💰 NL Central picks: Bets I've made on this division

I'm putting my money where my mouth is when it comes to the Pirates. I've invested 1.5 units on their team futures, and as I said above, that won't be the extent of it.