The Los Angeles Dodgers (47-37) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (39-45) at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. The Dodgers took Monday’s series opener 5-2, their second head-to-head victory in four games this season. Caleb Ferguson threw one scoreless inning in relief to get the win, and Evan Phillips earned his 12th save with a scoreless ninth.
Max Muncy went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Jared Triolo was 1 for 2 with two walks and one RBI for the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Ortiz (2-3, 4.11 ERA) is in line for the start for Pittsburgh. The righty allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Padres on Thursday. He gave up six hits and walked three in the no-decision.
For Los Angeles, RHP Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 2.65 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on Thursday, Sheehan got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out five, in the 14-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.2.
Against righties like Sheehan this season, the Bucs have a .693 OPS. Andrew McCutchen is the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .405 OBP in 166 at-bats.
Los Angeles is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.4 for the season, with a higher slash line (.293/.363/.464). The Dodgers have a .772 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .583 SLG over 234 at-bats, J.D. Martinez has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 17-24 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.3 runs.
Los Angeles has gone 25-15 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 games at Dodger Stadium between the teams, Los Angeles is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are third in the NL Central, six games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Dodgers are second in the NL West, two games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers -1.5 (-115)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
