Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.29 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-44) take on Clayton Kershaw (9-6, 2.37 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (61-46) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a three-game series at PNC Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 7 and can be seen on RTPT, SNLA and ESPN.
Cole pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs (one unearned), striking out eight and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Reds. Andrew McCutchen (.291, 59 Rs, 16 HRs, 68 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 2 Wednesday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. Kershaw went 8.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 3-1 win over the Angels in his last outing. Justin Turner (.323, 36 Rs, 13 HRs, 44 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Los Angeles takes on Pittsburgh as a -137 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at six runs. Though the Pirates have had a solid season in terms of their overall money line (+952), they’ve have done poorly as an underdog with a record of 10-18. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 5.4 runs per game, well above its season average of 3.6. The Pirates are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.3 hits per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the favorite, Los Angeles has a 54-42 record and an overall money line of -802. The Dodgers can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fifth in the league with 134 home runs. The Dodgers allow 3.5 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 4.5 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Dodgers are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.19 for the season. The Dodgers have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.7 strikeouts per game.
The Pirates have a 10-9 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Kershaw takes the mound. Cole (RHP) will be on the hill against the Dodgers, who have a 53-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Pittsburgh has won 42% (18-25) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 52% (21-19) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Dodgers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Pirates have a 10-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Dodgers are 45-9. The Pirates have a 43-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, Pittsburgh is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 436 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top half at 15th with 442.
Ranking 21st, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 276 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at second with 366.
When the Pirates hit at least one home run, they are 38-20, well-matched with the Dodgers who are 47-28 when hitting one or more homers.
