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The Pittsburgh Pirates (29-32) meet the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-25) in PNC Park for the finale of their 3-game series Thursday. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Dodgers vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pirates lead 2-0
The Pirates kicked off the series with a 1-0 win on Tuesday and then compounded that Wednesday by taking the 2nd game 10-6, covering in both. Pittsburgh used a 7-run 2nd inning to pull away and never looked back.
The Pirates have won 3 of their last 4 games and sit 4th in the NL Central. They are just 3-3 straight up over their last 6 at home. Pittsburgh is 33-27 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Dodgers will look to avoid having been swept for just the 2nd time on the season. Los Angeles has won 5 of its last 8 games, yet has lost 5 of its last 8 on the road. The NL West leaders are 32-31 ATS.
Dodgers at Pirates projected starters
RHP Walker Buehler vs. LHP Bailey Falter
Buehler (1-3, 4.32 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 25 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 7 K in a 4-1 home loss to the Colorado Rockies Friday
- 2024 road splits: 0-2, 6.00 ERA (9 IP, 6 ER), 11 H, 4 HR, 3 BB, 6 K in 2 starts
- Career vs. Pirates: 2-0, 2.37 ERA (19 IP, 5 ER), 0.90 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 3 starts
Falter (3-2, 3.22 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 0.95 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 5.3 K/9 in 64 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 5-3 14-inning road loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday
- 2024 home splits: 2-0, 2.56 ERA (31 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 21 H, 5 HR, 8 BB, 17 K in 5 starts
- Career vs. Dodgers: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (3 IP, 0 ER), 0.33 WHIP, 3.0 K/9 in 1 relief appearance
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Dodgers at Pirates odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -188 (bet $188 to win $100) | Pirates +158 (bet $100 to win $158)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (-120) | Pirates +1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -106 | U: -114)
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Dodgers at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 4, Pirates 3
Moneyline
PASS.
The Dodgers are far too expensive on the moneyline here, especially considering they have lost 2 straight and scored a combined 6 runs through those 2 games.
The Pirates aren’t worth a play here, neither is a plus-money home team.
Run line/Against the spread
BET PIRATES +1.5 (+100).
Pittsburgh has a strong pitcher on the mound, one of that has helped the Pirates cover in 3 of his last 4 starts. Pittsburgh is 10-3 ATS as a home underdog on the season and has covered in 4 straight games.
The Dodgers are 5-6 ATS in their last 11 and 2-3 ATS in their last 5. They have also lost 2 straight games in which Buehler has started. Considering those trends, back PIRATES +1.5 (+100).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-114).
The Pirates have scored 4 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 5 games, going Under the projected total in 2 of their last 5. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are far more prone toward the Under.
They have allowed 1 or 0 runs in 3 of their last 4 and have gone Under the projected total in 8 of their last 10 games, as well as in Buehler’s last 4 starts. With both teams having solid options on the mound, back UNDER 9 (-114).
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