by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Aug 08, 2024
Game Time: 10:10 pm ET, Friday, August 9, 2024
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: Sportsnet LA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Pirates +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Pirates +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Pirates +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
Pittsburgh Pirates: 56-57 (3rd place, NL Central)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 66-49 (1st place, NL West)
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Recent Form
Pittsburgh Pirates: 4-6 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 4-6 last 10
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Pirates lost their 3-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 56-57 record overall and have a road record of 29-27. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the San Diego Padres still to be played on Thursday. The Pirates lost the series opener of that series on Tuesday and the 2nd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 27th in the MLB with a .672 OPS. Luis Ortiz is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Mitch Keller is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 10-5 with a 3.20 ERA this season. His team won their last 5 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 4 Ks on 1 hit through 4 IP against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 66-49 record overall and have a home record of 35-22. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Pirates on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .763 OPS. Gavin Stone was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Jack Flaherty is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 8-5 with a 2.80 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 7 strikeouts on 5 hits through 6 innings played against the Oakland Athletics.
Pirates vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked really good in their games this season with their 66-49 record overall which leads the NL West with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have also looked great in their home games with their 35-22 home record. Meanwhile, the Pirates haven't looked great in their games this season with their 56-57 record overall and they have been hovering around .500 over the last few weeks now. They have been slightly better in their road games this year with their 29-27 road record. Neither team has been great lately though, both going 4-6 in their last 10 games, but the Dodgers have the better offense to lean on and have the home advantage here. The Dodgers have one of the best offenses in the MLB this season and they will be looking to bounce back after losing their series against the Phillies at home. Flaherty is on the mound for the Dodgers in this one and he has been a stud for the Tigers all season, looking to carry that over to his team with a chance at the World Series now. He is 8-5 with a 2.80 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs all season. He gave up no runs in his last start which has been a common theme for him all year and his team has won 3 of their last 4 games with him starting going back to his days on the Tigers. The Pirates also have a solid starter here with Keller on the mound as he is 10-5 with a 3.20 ERA, but he hasn't been keeping teams off the board the way Flaherty has been even when Keller has a good start. His team has won 5 games in a row with him starting and he gave up no runs in his last start, but he hasn't looked as good in his road starts and he is due for a loss here now that he is facing one of the best offenses in the MLB. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Pirates Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 9, 2024 (10:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 4 Pirates 2.
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MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh Pirates: 48-34 (+14.35 units) on the runline in their last 82 games. 11-6 (+7.40 units) on the moneyline in their last 17 away games. 24-13 to the over with their team total in their last 37 games.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 56-45 (-18 units) on the moneyline in their last 101 games. 31-23 to the over in their last 54 home games.
Key Injuries
Pittsburgh Pirates: J. Palacios (RF) Mid Aug - Hamstring. D. Jefferies (RP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. C. Mlodzinski (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. N. Gonzales (2B) Out indefinitely - Groin. J. Jones (SP) Out indefinitely - Back. R. Borucki (RP) Out indefinitely - Wrist. D. Moreta (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Oviedo (SP) out for season - Elbow. E. Rodriguez (C) out for season - Elbow.
Los Angeles Dodgers: B. Graterol (RP) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. B. Treinen (RP) Late Aug - Hip. C. Taylor (LF) Early Aug - Groin. D. May (SP) out of season - Elbow. Y. Yamamoto (SP) Out indefinitely - Tricep. M. Muncy (3B) Out indefinitely - Oblique. W. Buehler (SP) Out indefinitely - Hip. M. Betts (SS) Out indefinitely - Hand. R. Brasier (RP) Out indefinitely - Calf. E. Sheehan (SP) out for season - Elbow. T. Gonsolin (SP) out for season - Elbow. C. Brogdon (RP) Out indefinitely - Foot.
Notable Quotes
“We kept battling. I think that’s the thing. We ended the game with the winning run on base. It’s a challenge when you get down three runs in an extra-inning game — we continued to have really good at-bats and gave ourselves a chance to win, just didn’t get a hit to win it.” - Derek Shelton after his team’s loss against the Padres in their game on Wednesday.
"He got it wrong. That's just a fact. Umpiring is hard. They do a great job. Tonight, that play affected the game." - Dave Roberts after his team’s loss against the Phillies in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Pittsburgh Pirates
I Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
B Reynolds (S) DH
O Cruz (L) SS
J Bart (R) C
R Tellez (L) 1B
B De La Cruz (R) LF
K Hayes (R) 3B
J Bae (L) RF
M Taylor (R) CF
Los Angeles Dodgers
S Ohtani (L) DH
T Hernández (R) LF
F Freeman (L) 1B
K Hernández (R) 3B
G Lux (L) 2B
M Rojas (R) SS
J Heyward (L) RF
A Barnes (R) C
K Kiermaier (L) CF
Statistical Leaders
Pittsburgh Pirates
Batting Average: Bryan Reynolds (.288)
Hits: Bryan Reynolds (126)
Home Runs: Bryan Reynolds (19)
RBI: Bryan Reynolds (68)
Stolen Bases: Ke'Bryan Hayes (11)
Wins: Mitch Keller (10)
Saves: David Bednar (20)
ERA: Paul Skenes (1.99)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Mookie Betts (.304)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (134)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (32)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (81)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (32)
Wins: Gavin Stone (9)
Saves: Evan Phillips (15)
ERA: Eduardo Salazar (0.00)
Managers:
Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Shelton (5th season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
