The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Los Angeles looking to get their first series win since late July. The Dodgers are waiting to greet them fresh off a sweep of the New York Mets. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Pirates Dodgers prediction and pick.
Los Angeles currently stands at 72-46 and is 36-20 at home. If you put $100 on every single Dodgers game so far this season, you’d be down $694 on the moneyline.
Pittsburgh currently stands at 42-76 and is 18-41 on the road. If you put $100 on every single Pirates game so far this season, you’d be down $,1304 on the moneyline. Keep that in mind when you make a Pirates Dodgers prediction.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Pirates-Dodgers odds.
MLB Odds: Pirates-Dodgers Odds
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Pittsburgh Pirates ML (+220)
Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-250)
Over 9 Runs (-120)
Under 9 Runs (+100)
Why The Dodgers Could Win This Game
These two teams have been trending in the opposite direction for nearly the entire season, but even more so at the moment.
The Dodgers have been dominant of late, winning seven of their last eight matchups against quality teams in the Mets and Phillies, and a weaker opponent in the Angels.
On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Pittsburgh is in full tank/rebuild mode and it's been on display in their latest games.
The Dodgers bats look to continue the trend against Steven Brault, who is making his third start of the season. We don't have much info on Brault from this year, but we can draw more info from the lefties last season with the Pirates.
In last year's shortened season, Brault struggled with finding the strike zone and going deep in to games. Brault walked 22 batters in only 42 innings of work while pitching to a 3.38 ERA. In 11 starts in 2020, Brault only pitched five or more innings in three outings.
Both of these are major red flags against Los Angeles. The Dodgers draw the second most free-passes in the league, and it's likely Brault doesn't go further than five innings tonight against a team that sees plenty of pitches.
Considering the Pirates ‘pen holds a 4.85 ERA (the eighth highest in the league) and we could see them get asked for four or more innings tonight, expect the Dodgers to do their fair share of damage.
Speaking of bullpens, the Dodgers are expected to have a bullpen game. Considering the L.A. bullpen holds the third lowest ERA in the game, and the Pirates are in the bottom five in the league in both batting average and OPS, this isn't too concerning for L.A. backers when making a Pirates Dodgers prediction.
Pittsburgh has scored no more than two runs in half of their last 10 games. A talented Dodgers ‘pen has the chance to hold the offensively challenged Pirates to a low number again.
Why The Pirates Could Win This Game
Pittsburgh has been in a slump, but there are several reasons they have a shot at surprising the public tonight in Los Angeles.
For one, they have a lefty who has looked very strong in his first few appearances on the mound in Brault tonight. In nine innings of work this year, Brault has only walked one batter while striking out eight.
The Dodgers have been significantly worse against left-handers this season, a problem that has plagued them for years. Their OPS (.777 to .73o) and batting average (.251 to .235) both take hits when a southpaw takes the mound.
The last time the Dodgers faced a lefty starter, Ranger Suarez gave a shortened effort of 4.1 innings and only gave up one earned. Brault, who probably won't give the Pirates much distance either, is more than capable of replicating Suarez's effort tonight and giving the Pirates a fighting chance.
At the plate, Pittsburgh has to find a way to get through to a Dodgers ‘pen that's been one of the best in the league. While the offense has been cold, they've shown flashes of breaking out.
The Pirates offense has been boom or bust lately, but when they boom, they score runs quickly. They have 21 runs in their last five games, and 20 of those runs came in just two matchups.
Pittsburgh still has some serious threats in the lineup in All-Star Brian Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes. Both have notched six hits in their last five games.
Ina. bullpen game, the Dodgers are going to have to run out a shaky pitcher eventually. The Pirates will have their chance to strike before the nights over.
Final Pirates-Dodgers Prediction & Pick
The Dodgers should win this one, but it might be closer than most expect. The Dodgers sometimes struggle against lefties, and Brault has looked good in limited run. It's simply not worth it to take the Dodgers here with the amount of chalk you'd have to lay. The safer pick tonight is the under. The under is 5-2 in the last seven games in Dodger Stadium, and the Pirate under is also 5-2 in their last seven. Expect Brault ot be serviceable and the Pirates offense to be kept under wraps as this one finishes with few runs on either side.
FINAL PIRATES-DODGERS PICK: UNDER 9 RUNS (+100)
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