by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Jul 04, 2023
Game Time: 10:10 pm ET, Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Pirates +225, Dodgers -265; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Pirates +225, Dodgers -265; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Pirates +225, Dodgers -265; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Pittsburgh Pirates: 39-45 (3rd place, NL Central)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 47-37 (2nd place, NL West)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Sean Murphy is on a HOT STREAK in the MLB: 75-55 ($12.3K) this season! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Pittsburgh Pirates: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-4 last 10
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Pirates are entering this series on a 2 game losing streak and lost their 3-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 39-45 record overall and have a road record of 17-24. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the LA Dodgers on Wednesday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Tuesday. They also lost the series opener of this series on Monday. Their offense ranks 23rd in the MLB with a .709 OPS. Luis Ortiz is their starting pitcher on Tuesday while rookie pitcher Osvaldo Bido is making his start in this game on Wednesday. He is 0-1 with a 4.74 ERA this season. His team lost 3 of their 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 0 Ks on 4 hits through 3.1 IP against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers are entering this series on a 2 game losing streak and lost their 3-game series against the Kansas City Royals 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 47-37 record overall and have a home record of 25-15. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Pirates on Wednesday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Tuesday. They also won the 1st game of this series on Monday. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .772 OPS. Rookie pitcher Emmet Sheehan is their starting pitcher on Tuesday while Bobby Miller is making his start in this game on Wednesday. He is 4-1 with a 4.23 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 4 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5.2 innings played against the Kansas City Royals.
Pirates vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers are in 2nd place of the NL West at the moment as they are trying to chase down the Diamondbacks in 1st place but they have a chance to get on a roll here with a series against the slumping Pirates and this is a series that the Dodgers need to sweep after losing their series with the Royals over the weekend. The Dodgers have been a better home team this season and they have a really good offense so they will be able to take advantage of the Pirates who have not only been slumping lately but have also had a terrible offense. The Dodgers have Miller starting in this game and he hasn't been lights out in his starts but he hasn't been giving up many runs either and he will have another good start at home here with this cold Pirates offense in town. The Pirates have their rookie Bido on the mound here and he hasn't been that great in his starts this season. He gave up 4 runs in his last start and has been giving up quite a few runs in his starts this year. He won't pitch well in this road game with one of the best offenses in the league at the plate and the Dodgers have to push for a sweep in this series or the division will start to slip away if they can't beat up on the bad teams. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game and on the runline.
Pirates Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Wednesday, July 5, 2023 (10:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 9 Pirates 4.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Pittsburgh Pirates Los Angeles Dodgers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh Pirates: 25-33 (-6.2 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8.5 to 10. 25-34 (-7.2 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 12-6 OVER against NL West opponents. 25-18 OVER in night games.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 37-23 (+5.8 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 145-65 (+12.9 units) on the moneyline in home games. 22-14 OVER as a favorite of -150 or more. 35-23 OVER against right-handed starters.
Key Injuries
Pittsburgh Pirates: J. Bae (SS) Out indefinitely - Ankle. J. Choi (1B) Mid July - Achilles. W. Crowe (SP) Mid July - Shoulder. J. Hernandez (RP) Mid July - Calf. K. Hayes (3B) Mid July - Back. V. Velasquez (SP) out for season - Elbow. R. Zastryzny (RP) Mid July - Forearm. J. Brubaker (SP) out for season - Elbow. O. Cruz (SS) Mid Aug - Ankle. J. Garcia (RP) Out indefinitely - Bicep. M. Kranick (SP) Late Aug - Elbow.
Los Angeles Dodgers: D. Hudson (RP) Mid July - Knee. C. Taylor (SS) Mid July - Knee. C. Kershaw (SP) Out Indefinitely - Shoulder. S. Miller (RP) Late July - Neck. A. Reyes (SP) out for season - Shoulder. T. Thompson (LF) Early Aug - Oblique. N. Syndergaard (SP) Out indefinitely - Finger. D. May (SP) Late July - Elbow. T. Cyr (RP) Late July - Shoulder. J. Feyereisen (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. R. Pepiot (SP) Mid July - Oblique. W. Buehler (SP) Early Sept - Elbow. G. Lux (2B) out for season - Knee. B. Treinen (RP) Early Sept - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“Mitch wasn't sharp, we didn't play sharp defensively. Overall, we didn't play a sharp game.” - Derek Shelton after his team’s loss against the LA Dodgers in their game on Monday.
“Muncy and a couple people came through the line and said congratulations. I had no idea what they were talking about until I got to the office. Just happy to win a baseball game tonight. You have good player and a great organization.” - Dave Roberts after his team’s win against the Pirates in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Pittsburgh Pirates
Josh Palacios (L) LF
Bryan Reynolds (S) DH
Jack Suwinski (L) CF
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Henry Davis (R) RF
Nick Gonzales (R) SS
Rodolfo Castro (S) 2B
Jared Triolo (R) 3B
Austin Hedges (R) C
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) C
Max Muncy (L) 3B
J.D. Martinez (R) DH
David Peralta (L) LF
Jason Heyward (L) CF
Miguel Vargas (R) 2B
Miguel Rojas (R) SS
Statistical Leaders
Pittsburgh Pirates
Batting Average: Drew Maggi (.333)
Hits: Ke'Bryan Hayes (73)
Home Runs: Jack Suwinski (17)
RBI: Carlos Santana (43)
Stolen Bases: Ji Hwan Bae (20)
Wins: Mitch Keller (9)
Saves: David Bednar (16)
ERA: Yerry De Los Santos (0.90)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Freddie Freeman (.314)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (105)
Home Runs: Mookie Betts (22)
RBI: Mookie Betts (56)
Stolen Bases: Freddie Freeman (11)
Wins: Clayton Kershaw (10)
Saves: Evan Phillips (12)
ERA: Tyler Cyr (0.00)
Managers:
Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Shelton (4th season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (8th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
