In this article, we will formulate a Dodgers vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, April 26, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates (11-16, 5-9 Away) bounced back from being swept by the Cleveland Guardians at home with a series win over the Los Angeles Angels on the road, and with a Game 1 3-0 victory over the Dodgers in the current series. Paul Skenes got the win after allowing no runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in 6.1 innings of work. Another commanding performance from one of the best pitchers in the MLB.
This season, the Pirates average 3.56 runs per game (25th in the MLB) on a .222/.303/.336 slash line. Regarding pitching, the Pirates’ staff has a 3.72 ERA (10th) and 1.15 WHIP (6th). Oneil Cruz leads the Pirates with a .256 batting average, seven home runs, and 14 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Pirates is Mitch Keller, who is 1-2 in five starts this season, with a 4.18 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 28.0 innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers (16-10, 10-3 Home) are going through a three-game losing skid for the second time this season, and will be desperate to avoid the fourth consecutive defeat for the first time. After being swept in a two-game mini-series by the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers failed to score for the second time this year in Game 1 loss to the Pirates. Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts and four walks over 5.0 innings of work.
This year, the Dodgers average 4.46 runs per game (12th in the MLB) on a .230/.308/.421 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers’ staff has a 3.85 ERA (13th) and 1.30 WHIP (16th). Teoscar Hernandez leads the Dodgers with a .269 batting average, six home runs, and 22 RBI this season.
Roki Sasaki will take the mound for the Dodgers on Saturday. The 23-year-old right-hander has a 0-1 record in five starts this year with a 3.20 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 19.2 innings.
Why the Dodgers will beat the Pirates
- The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
- The Dodgers have won nine of their last 10 games at Dodger Stadium against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five road games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Dodgers have covered the run line in four of their last five night games following a home loss.
- The Dodgers have won the first inning in four of their last five games as favorites against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
- The Dodgers have led after 3 innings in three of their last four home games.
Total Runs Facts
- Ten of the Pirates’ last 11 road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Dodgers’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last six night games at Dodger Stadium.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 games between the Pirates and Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Dodgers rank 27th in the league for steals this season (11).
- The Dodgers rank T27th in the league for walks allowed this season (104).
- The Pirates rank 4th in the league for steals this season (33).
- The Pirates rank T26th in the league for home runs this season (20).
Dodgers vs Pirates Prediction
The Dodgers won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including four of the last five. After facing Skenes in Game 1 and failing to score, the Dodgers will have an easier job against Keller, who allowed a .287 BA in 87 at-bats against them. Last year, Keller posted a 15.75 ERA in 4.0 innings against the Dodgers. I am backing the hosts to trouble him early on and score four or five runs in the opening five innings. Roki Sasaki, on the other hand, is gradually getting more and more time on the mound, and so far, he has not allowed more than two runs in a game. Sasaki will get a quality start here and the Dodgers will cover the run line.