Pittsburgh Pirates vs LA Dodgers Betting Prediction

Monday night starts a three-game series between National League foes as the Pittsburgh Pirates (39-44) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37).

Before you consider any Pirates vs Dodgers betting, take a look at the following betting analysis and predictions.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers 

Location of the game: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA.

Date & Time: Monday, July 3. 10:10 pm ET.

How to watch: MLB.TV

Looking at the recent MLB schedule, the Pittsburgh Pirates come into this one having gone 5-5 in their last 10 MLB games. Over the weekend, they dropped two of three to the Milwaukee Brewers, including a 6-3 loss on Sunday.

For the Dodgers, they are 6-4 in their last ten games. Like Milwaukee, they also dropped their last series, losing two of three to the Kansas City Royals. In Sunday’s loss, they were demolished 9-1 by Kansas City.

As we approach the All-Star break, both of these teams still have something to play for. Looking at the Pittsburgh Pirates record, they are 39-44. In the MLB standings, that record puts them just 5.5 games out of first place in the NL Central.

The Los Angeles Dodgers standings are even tighter as they currently sit in second in the NL West, three games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Los Angeles is also trying to improve on their solid 24-15 record at Dodger Stadium.

Despite their current standings, there are still high expectations for Los Angeles. In fact, they have some of the best MLB odds to win the World Series this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to take the opener Monday night behind their staff ace Mitch Keller. In terms of MLB stats, he is 9-3 in 17 games with a 3.34 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and he has 118 strikeouts in 105 innings of work.

In Keller’s last two starts, the 27-year-old righty has allowed just two earned runs over a combined 13 innings.

Where the Pirates struggle is on offense. Of all MLB teams, the Pirates rank 21st in scoring, averaging just 4.27 runs per game.

While the Pirates’ offense is a bit shaky, the Dodgers have one of the most elite offenses in baseball. In fact, they have baseball’s fourth-best scoring offense, averaging 5.48 runs per game.

Some of the MLB stat leaders for the Dodgers include Mookie Betts (22 HR, 56 RBI, 64 R), J.D. Martinez (19 HR, 56 RBI), Max Muncy (18 HR, 48 RBI), and Freddie Freeman (14 HR, 54 RBI, 65 R, 11 SB).

Taking a look at injury updates, the Dodgers’ expected starter Monday, Clayton Kershaw, is questionable with a shoulder injury. In 16 games this season, Kershaw is 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA.

On Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said there was still a chance that Kershaw could go in this one, but as it pertains to any Pirates vs Dodgers betting, you will want to find out his final status before making your MLB picks.

For Pittsburgh, the Pirates remain without regulars Ji-Man Choi (ankle), O’Neil Cruz (ankle), and Ke’Bryan Hayes (back).

With the uncertainty of Kershaw’s availability, the odds for this game had still not been posted as of Monday morning. Make sure to check in once a starter is announced.

When considering your Pirates vs Dodgers betting, it will be important to evaluate who starts this one for Los Angeles. If he can go, Clayton Kershaw has been absolutely dominant this year, earning his 10th selection to the All-Star game in his career.

On the flip side, Mitch Keller has been dominant in his own right for the Pirates this season and maybe catching the Dodgers at the right time given Los Angeles has lost back-to-back games.

For that reason, there could be a lot of value in taking whichever team is getting the +1.5 on the spread. Also, if Kershaw can go, don’t be shocked if this is a low-scoring affair, so it might make the under an enticing bet.

If you love sports and want more sports betting information@InsidersBetDigfree betting picks.