Dodgers vs. Pirates Pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday at 7:05PM EST to continue a four-game series.
The Pirates are a -114 favorite on the moneyline according to sports book BetDSI, while the Dodgers are a +104 underdog. The over-under is set at 9.
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Brock Stewart (0-0, 1.64 ERA) will start for the Dodgers, while the Pirates turn to Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.64). Stewart has had mixed results in his two starts, going no more than four innings in either. He allowed five runs (none earned) on five hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 6-5 win over Minnesota on July 26, while he surrendered two earned runs on three hits in four innings of a 5-3 loss at Atlanta on August 2. Taillon had a horrendous two-start period four weeks ago that took his ERA up from 3.08 to 4.74. He stabilized over his next couple starts, but proceeded to allowed four earned runs on seven hits August 17 in an 11-7 home loss to the Cardinals. He has a 1.51 WHIP and a 5.09 ERA in 10 home starts.
Los Angeles is 88-35 overall and 37-21 on the road, putting it on a 115-win pace. Pittsburgh is 60-65 and 34-29 at home. The Dodgers won the series opener 6-5 in 12 innings and lead the season series 4-0.
The Dodgers won the series opener as Yasiel Puig hit a go-ahead home run in the 12th inning. Pittsburgh led 3-0 until Los Angeles put together a five-run seventh, but two runs by the Pirates in the eighth would send the game into extra innings. Curtis Granderson keyed the seventh-inning rally with a go-ahead grand slam, while Justin Turner and Puig both had two hits. Luis Avilan earned the win in relief, while Chad Stripling recorded his second save of the season as the eighth Dodgers pitcher. Josh Harrison paced the Pirates offense by going 3-for-5 with his 15th home run, while Jose Osuna and Sean Rodriguez also homered. Dovydas Neverauskas took the loss in relief.
It is very hard to bet against the Dodgers right now, but this might be the spot. Stewart isn’t going to go deep in the game and the Dodgers bullpen is very tired following the 12-inning affair. Taillon’s numbers are inflated because of a few poor starts, but overall he has been very dependable. Plus, Los Angeles rookie slugger Cody Bellinger has already been ruled out with an ankle injury.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES -114