Ross Stripling (3-3, 3.79 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-50) meet Ivan Nova (8-6, 4.83 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-55) in the first of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The game starts at 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 12 and will air on SNLA and RTPT.
In his last start, Stripling pitched 5.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out four and walking one in a 3-0 victory over the Red Sox. Corey Seager (.305, 73 Rs, 21 HRs, 55 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again Wednesday, going 2 for 3. The Pirates were also victorious the last time Nova pitched. He went 7.0 innings, giving up three runs and striking out five in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. David Freese (.283, 51 Rs, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Los Angeles, a -158 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Pittsburgh. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. The Dodgers perform well as a favorite with a 57-31 record, but haven’t fared as well with the overall money line (-143). Below average play has been the norm lately for the Los Angeles pitchers. The Dodgers have given up an average of 5.1 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 3.8 runs per game. The Dodgers don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking second in the league with a 1.136 WHIP. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per game.
Switching gears, the Pirates come into this game with a win percentage of .490 when playing as the underdog (24-25) and an overall money line of -104. Pittsburgh is a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in the MLB with 84 stolen bases.
In their previous four games this season, the Pirates have a 3-1 record. The Dodgers will take on a right-hander (Nova) in this game and have a 50-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Stripling will take the mound against the Pirates, who have a 41-47 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Pittsburgh has won 42% (22-30) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Los Angeles has won 59% (24-17) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Pirates are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Dodgers have a record of 12-8 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 48-14. The Pirates have a 38-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the bottom half of the league based on total runs this season, Los Angeles ranks 17th with 504 runs and Pittsburgh is 19th with 503.
Ranking 12th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 360 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 379.
When the Dodgers hit at least one home run, they are 48-26, well-matched with the Pirates who are 39-24 when hitting one or more homers.
