Pittsburgh Pirates vs
Los Angeles DodgersPredictions & Preview

Pittsburgh Pirates Primed to Take on Los Angeles Dodgers in Key NL Showdown at Dodger Stadium

The Pittsburgh Pirates will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the middle game of a three-game National League series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night. The Pirates, currently third in the NL Central with a 56-58 record, will have rookie righty ace Paul Skenes on the mound. The Dodgers, leading the NL West with a 66-49 record, will be sending rookie right-hander River Ryan to pitch. Skenes has an ERA of 1.99 while Ryan has an ERA of 1.72. Pittsburgh opens as the betting favorite at -115, with the current line favoring Los Angeles at -109. Please note that this article is being written before the opening game of the series on Friday.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates -103 | Dodgers -109
• Spread: Pirates -1.5 (+155) | Dodgers +1.5 (-176)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Pittsburgh will win straight-up is 51%.

Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are working hard to stay in the playoff race, despite a tough home loss to the San Diego Padres. Despite hitting well in the game, including some success with runners in scoring position, the team left nine runners on base. Pitcher Luis Ortiz had an average start, giving up four runs, including two homers. Rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has been performing impressively in his first 14 starts, with a 6-1 record and a 1.99 ERA. The team, currently ranked 18th in offense and 16th in defense, is 56-59 this season and will look to bounce back in their next game with Skenes on the mound.

Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a 9-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in their most recent game, with a relatively average hitting performance and struggles with runners in scoring position. Pitcher Gavin Stone had a decent outing, allowing three runs in 4.2 innings. Rookie pitcher River Ryan is set to start his fourth game of the season, boasting impressive stats with a 1.72 ERA. The Dodgers are currently ranked 16th in power rankings, showcasing strong offense and defense, but with an overall record of 67-49. In their recent matchups, Pittsburgh won 2 out of 3 games against the Dodgers.

Paul Skenes' Pitching Prowess Gives Pittsburgh Pirates Edge over Dodgers

Despite the Dodgers having a strong team, the importance of a starting pitcher cannot be overlooked. Paul Skenes, with a record of 2-1, a 1.74 ERA, and a 0.90 WHIP in his last seven starts, holds the advantage over River Ryan, who is relatively inexperienced with only three career starts. Skenes' previous achievements, including starting pitcher for the NL All-Stars, indicate his ability to effectively handle the Dodgers lineup. The Pirates have shown better offensive performance in August, averaging 5.17 runs per game compared to the Dodgers' 4.83. Considering these factors, the Pittsburgh Pirates are likely to emerge victorious in this matchup.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]