The Los Angeles Dodgers (12-11) take one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (16-7) and Johan Oviedo, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, at PNC Park on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series.
The Dodgers are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Cubs, taking the finale 7-3 on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He had four RBIs.The Pirates are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.
They are coming off a four-game sweep of the Reds, taking the finale 2-0 on Sunday at PNC Park for their seventh straight win. Jack Suwinski’s on-base streak is up to 12 games as he went 1 for 2 with a double and one RBI, walking twice.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Pirates won five of the six games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a three-game set at Dodger Stadium at the end of May.
ON THE MOUND
Noah Syndergaard (0-3, 4.91 ERA) is in line to start for Los Angeles. The RHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Mets on Wednesday. He took the loss, scattering five hits while striking out two and walking two.
Syndergaard made one start against the Pirates in 2022, a 5-0 home loss for the Phillies on August 28. He surrendered five runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings, striking out five and walking one. For Pittsburgh, RHP Oviedo (2-1, 2.22 ERA) takes the mound.
Oviedo made one appearance against the Dodgers in 2022, throwing 1.1 innings for the Cardinals in a 7-6 home win on July 12. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out one. In his last start on Wednesday, Oviedo got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out six and walking three in the 14-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.3 runs per game for the season, fifth best in MLB, with a slash line of .229/.327/.460. Five Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Max Muncy (1.129). The second baseman is slashing .254/.411/.718 with 11 home runs, 21 RBIs, and 16 runs over 22 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Oviedo this season, the Dodgers have an .833 OPS, second highest in the league. Muncy also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.201 OPS in 49 at-bats.
Pittsburgh is slashing .250/.329/.436 for the season and averaging 4.8 runs per game. Andrew McCutchen leads the team with ann .888 OPS. The right fielder has four home runs, nine RBIs, and 11 runs scored with a slash line of .275/.381/.507.
The Bucs have a .750 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .998 OPS over 66 at-bats, Bryan Reynolds has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 6-5 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.7 runs per game while allowing 5.8 runs. Pittsburgh has won four in a row at PNC Park. The Bucs are 7-3 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Los Angeles is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the teams at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 6.4-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by zero games over the Diamondbacks. The Pirates lead the NL Central by zero games over the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
