The Pittsburgh Pirates will try for the sweep of the NL West’s best ball club tonight as they host the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET.
Paul Skenes dominated L.A. the last time he faced them, and my Dodgers vs. Pirates predictions dive into the reasons why that will happen again.
Read on for my MLB picks for Thursday, September 4.
Dodgers vs Pirates prediction
Dodgers vs Pirates best bet: Paul Skenes Under 1.5 earned runs (+105)
Once again, Paul Skenes is having an electrifying campaign and remains a heavy favorite in the NL Cy Young odds. The former first overall pick owns a 2.05 ERA and 9-9 record across 28 starts, striking out 187 in 167 innings of work while holding hitters to a .198 average.
Skenes has allowed Under 1.5 earned runs in back-to-back outings, tossing six frames of one-run baseball last time out against the Boston Red Sox. He also threw seven innings of scoreless baseball prior to that versus the lowly Colorado Rockies.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a step up in class on paper, but they had no luck against Skenes in late April. The righty held the World Series champions to no runs across 6 1/3 innings while striking out nine.
Skenes’ ERA lowers to 1.63 at home as well. I’ll take him to throw another gem, and help the Bucs potentially complete a surprising sweep.
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Dodgers vs Pirates same-game parlay (SGP)
With two studs on the hill, there’s every reason to hammer the Under here.
Wednesday’s contest cashed the Under, with the Pittsburgh Pirates winning 3-0. Aside from Skenes pitching well, so is Blake Snell, who I expect to also perform tonight in the rubber match.
Snell hasn’t pitched a ton this season due to injury, but when available, he’s looked solid. The southpaw has a 2.41 ERA in seven starts.
Although he’s surrendered five earned runs across his last two appearances, Snell did cash the Under in two outings prior. He’s also held the Pirates to a .193 average across 57 at-bats, and he owns a 1.65 ERA in night games.
Andrew McCutchen has cashed the Over in hits in both games of this series so far, Yes, he’s 0-for-12 against Snell with six walks, but McCutchen is finding ways to get on base at the moment.
In fact, he’s cashed the Over in four of his previous five, with a pair of multi-hit performances during that span.
Dodgers vs Pirates 4-Leg SGP
- Paul Skenes u1.5 earned runs allowed (+105)
- Under 7.0 (+100)
- Blake Snell u1.5 earned runs allowed (-120)
- Andrew McCutchen o0.5 hits (-125)
Dodgers vs Pirates odds
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -125 | Pittsburgh +105
- Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+140) | Pittsburgh +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under: Over 7 (+100) | Under 7 (-120)
Dodgers vs Pirates trend
The Dodgers have hit the Under in 21 of their last 32 away games (+10.00 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Pirates.
How to watch Dodgers vs Pirates and game info
| Location | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Thursday, August 4, 2025 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNLA, SNP |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Blake Snell (3-3, 2.41 ERA) |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Paul Skenes (9-9, 2.05 ERA) |
Dodgers vs Pirates latest injuries
Dodgers vs Pirates weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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