MLB Picks

Dodgers vs Pirates Prediction 8/22/26 MLB Picks Today

Pittsburgh Pirates (63-67) vs. LA Dodgers (78-51)
August 22, 2026 7:15 pm EDT
The Line: LA Dodgers -253 / Pittsburgh Pirates 233; Over/Under: 7.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers meet Saturday in MLB action at Yankee Stadium. Here’s a Dodgers vs Pirates Prediction. This article will include a Dodgers vs Pirates Pick.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 63-67 on the year and play the Padres and Cardinals next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .256 on the season, with a .333 OBP and a .411 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.29 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 140 hits and 53 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 244 hits and 146 RBI.

Jared Jones gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 2-5 with a 4.78 ERA and 72 strikeouts this season. Jones is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 10 strikeouts in his career against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 78-51 on the year and play the Tigers and Braves next. The Los Angeles Dodgers are batting .260 on the season, with a .335 OBP and a .430 slugging percentage. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff has a 3.70 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Freddie Freeman leads the Los Angeles Dodgers with 142 hits and 61 RBI, while Andy Pages and Shohei Ohtani have combined for 267 hits and 160 RBI.

Tarik Skubal gets the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he is 7-7 with a 2.85 ERA and 135 strikeouts this season. Skubal is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 29 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers will win

  • The Dodgers have won each of their last nine games against teams that held a losing record.
  • The Pirates have lost each of their last eight day games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last five day games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Dodgers have covered the run line in five of their last six games as home favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
  • The Dodgers have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
  • The Pirates have lost the first inning in seven of their last eight games at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
  • The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four road games against NL West opponents.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

  • The Dodgers have lost each of their last eight day games after playing the previous day.
  • The Pirates have won five of their last six games as underdogs against NL West opponents following a loss.
  • The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 day games following a home win.
  • The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs following an extra-innings loss.
  • The Dodgers have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight home day games.
  • The Dodgers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five day games.

Total Runs Facts

  • Eight of the last nine games between the Pirates and Dodgers have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Eight of the Pirates’ last nine road games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last 11 day games at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
  • There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the last 10 games between the Pirates and Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles Dodgers Player Prop Facts

  • Max Muncy has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances with the Dodgers as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
  • Tarik Skubal has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
  • Mookie Betts has recorded at least one hit in each of the Dodgers’ last nine home games against opponents that held a losing record.
  • Shohei Ohtani ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.552) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

  • Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against NL West opponents.
  • Jared Jones has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
  • Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 13 games against NL West opponents.
  • Nick Gonzales ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.311) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.218).
  • The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for hits allowed this season (928).
  • The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1144).
  • The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1222).

Dodgers vs Pirates Prediction

I’m always looking for chances to fade the Dodgers and these inflated prices, but the Pirates just aren’t a team worth taking the risk with currently. The Dodgers have caught fire over the last two weeks, and Skubal has been money this season with a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The Dodgers are the only play in this spot, and of course I’ll lay the RL to shave down the price.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: LA Dodgers -1.5

Need More? Get Premium Picks

Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

Related Articles

Back to top button