The Los Angeles Dodgers (48-38) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-46) at Dodger Stadium on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Dodgers lead the series 2-1 after winning 6-4 on Wednesday, their third head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Bobby Miller got the win, allowing four runs on five hits over 5.2 innings and striking out seven, and Daniel Hudson picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
David Peralta went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. J.D. Martinez added a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. Bryan Reynolds was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Johan Oviedo (3-9, 4.61 ERA) is set for the start for Pittsburgh. The righty allowed eight runs over five innings in his last start, an 11-8 road defeat against the Brewers on Saturday.
He was charged with the loss, giving up nine hits while striking out one and walking three. Oviedo has made one previous start against the Dodgers this season, an 8-7 home loss on April 25.
He surrendered five runs on six hits over 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking two. For Los Angeles, left-hander Julio Urias (5-5, 4.94 ERA) will toe the rubber.
He has made one prior start against the Pirates this season, giving up six runs over 5.2 innings in a 6-2 road defeat on April 27. He gave up seven hits and walked two while striking out five in the loss.
In his last start on Saturday, Urias took the loss on the road against the Royals. He threw three innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two in the 6-4 defeat.
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 4.3. Against lefties like Urias this season, the Bucs have a .741 OPS.
Rodolfo Castro is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .924 OPS in 91 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.4 for the season.
The Dodgers have a .777 OPS against righties in 2023, fourth highest in the league. With a .583 SLG over 247 at-bats, Martinez has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 18-25 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Los Angeles has gone 26-16 at Dodger Stadium this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. Los Angeles is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Dodger Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.2-4.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Reds. The Dodgers are second in the NL West, one game behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5 (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
