Brandon McCarthy (2-2, 3.00 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-50) square off against Gerrit Cole (7-7, 2.94 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-55) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Pirates won the last game 5-1, and Pittsburgh leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 13 and can be seen on FS1, SNLA and RTPT.
McCarthy pitched 3.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs and walking five in an 8-5 win over the Red Sox. Corey Seager (.305, 73 Rs, 21 HRs, 55 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3. Cole went 5.2 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out six and walking three in a 7-3 defeat to the Reds in his last outing. David Freese (.283, 51 Rs, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
The odds for Los Angeles and Pittsburgh are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. It’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Dodgers. The 3.3 runs that Los Angeles’s pitchers allow per home game makes them the second-ranked NL staff at home. The Dodgers are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.136 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who rank second in the NL in strikeouts per home game with 9.8.
The Pirates lead the season series, 3-1. The Dodgers have a 50-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cole takes the mound. McCarthy (RHP) will be on the hill against the Pirates, who have a 41-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Los Angeles is 24-17, while Pittsburgh is 22-30.
The Pirates didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Dodgers have a 10-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
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 18th 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.
The Dodgers are 48-26 when they hit at least one home run. The Pirates perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 39-24 record.
