The Los Angeles Dodgers (78-59) are set to begin a three-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (61-77) at PNC Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. The Dodgers hold a 2-1 edge in the season series so far. FOX Sports and ESPN provide live coverage and updated stats for this matchup.
Los Angeles enters the series after snapping a two-game skid with a 5-4 walk-off win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Center fielder Andy Pages drove in two runs, and catcher Will Smith delivered the decisive solo home run as a pinch-hitter. The Dodgers have now won five of their last seven games and look to carry that momentum forward.
The Pirates, meanwhile, saw their two-game winning streak end with a 5-2 defeat to the Boston Red Sox. Left fielder Alexander Canario was responsible for Pittsburgh’s only RBI. Despite the loss, the Pirates have won nine of their last 13 games and are showing signs of improvement, especially at home, where they hold a 39-30 record.
Starting on the mound for Los Angeles is veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw (9-2, 3.06 ERA). Kershaw is making his 18th start of the season, boasting a 1.15 WHIP and averaging 5.9 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last appearance, he pitched five innings with one earned run and six strikeouts in a win against the Cincinnati Reds. Kershaw has a 4-3 career record with a 3.00 ERA in 13 starts versus the Pirates.
Pittsburgh counters with right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (3-7, 3.86 ERA), who will make his 12th start. Mlodzinski has a 1.32 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 over 84 innings. His most recent outing saw him allow one earned run over three innings in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals. He has not started against the Dodgers previously but has three relief appearances versus Los Angeles with no runs allowed.
According to oddsmakers, the Dodgers are favored at -165 on the moneyline, while the Pirates are listed at +140. The run line is set at Dodgers -1.5, and the over/under for total runs is 8.5. Recent trends indicate the Dodgers have scored five or more runs in five of their last seven games, while the Pirates have produced at least four runs in seven of their last ten. The over has hit in the past two meetings between these teams.
Looking at the matchup, the Dodgers’ recent offensive surge and Kershaw’s consistency give them an edge. However, Pittsburgh’s strong home record and improved form suggest they should not be underestimated. ESPN Analytics gives Los Angeles a 62.1% chance to win, with Pittsburgh at 37.9%.
Historically, the Dodgers and Pirates have seen competitive series. In their last meeting, Pittsburgh secured a 3-0 shutout victory behind a dominant start from Paul Skenes, who struck out nine and outdueled Yoshinobu Yamamoto. As the series opens, both teams aim to set the tone for the week, with Los Angeles seeking to strengthen their postseason push and Pittsburgh looking to play spoiler.