The Los Angeles Dodgers will be facing off against a cross-country foe in the Pittsburgh Pirates in a Saturday night game. This NL matchup is going to be nationally televised on Fox and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Los Angeles (-150) is entering this game as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+140) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this one at 8 runs (-115 for the under and -105 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds sitting at Dodgers -1.5 runs (-105) and Pirates +1.5 runs (-115).
The Pirates are 25-23 straight up (SU) and 27-20 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Dodgers have gone 33-18 SU this year and are 23-27 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 7.8 units for moneyline gamblers through the early part of the season, but have lost 0.8 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have had an over/under record of 25-21-1 so far in 2019. The Dodgers have an over/under record of 25-23-2.
Hyun-Jin Ryu will get the start for Los Angeles. The left-handed Ryu is 6-1 with a 1.52 ERA and 59 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are turning to righty Joe Musgrove (3-4, 3.67 ERA), who has 44 strikeouts and 17 walks, in addition to a WHIP of 1.07. Musgrove is 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 1.35 ERA in one start against Los Angeles this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 5.0 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have a 4.41 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.62 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 10.3 K/9.
The Pittsburgh hitters are putting up 3.9 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .257/.314/.439 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Pirates’ batters have been led by first baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Melky Cabrera. Bell is slashing .337/.405/.713 with 16 home runs, 47 RBIs and 35 runs scored, while Cabrera’s line is .333/.370/.464 with three homers, 15 RBIs and 14 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Los Angeles’ pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.93 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 8.96 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.59, along with a K-per-9 of 8.77.
Dodgers hitters have slashed .254/.345/.451 on their way to 5.2 runs scored per game this year, including 4.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Los Angeles’ offensive production has been led by first baseman Cody Bellinger and third baseman Justin Turner, who’ve collectively belted 24 home runs. Bellinger is slashing .389/.471/.766 with 18 home runs, 46 RBIs, 44 runs and seven steals, while Turner (.283/.378/.428) has produced six homers, 23 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
The Dodgers have gained 8.5 units and are 18-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 0.5 units and are 8-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in nine of those games, compared to five that went under.
Dodgers vs. Pirates Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Dodgers, ATS Winner – Dodgers, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles has recorded 15 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Pittsburgh has 19 XBH over its last five.
- The Dodgers have an OPS of .796 this season and an OPS of .796 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .695 overall and .710 against righties.
- The Dodgers have won three of their last four games SU.
- Pittsburgh has posted 22.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.6 over its last five.
- The Dodgers have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 15 over their last 10.
