Pittsburgh @ Los Angeles Picks & Props

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nolan Schanuel in the 88th percentile when estimating his batting average skill. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Nolan Schanuel will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which should boost all of his stats. In the past week, Nolan Schanuel's 23.1% rate of hitting balls at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 12.5%. In terms of his batting average, Nolan Schanuel has suffered from bad luck since the start of last season. His .254 BA falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected Batting Average (xBA) at .269.

In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report calls for the 3rd-most favorable pitching conditions of the day. Bryan Reynolds will be at a disadvantage playing away from home in today's matchup.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Zach Neto in the 79th percentile when it comes to his overall offensive talent. Zach Neto has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this year (75% of the time), but he is projected to hit 2nd in the batting order today. Zach Neto will have the handedness advantage over Andrew Heaney in today's game. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Zach Neto will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which should bolster all of his stats.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the 88th percentile when it comes to his batting average skill. In the past 7 days, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has significantly improved the launch angle on his highest exit velocity balls: 4.7° compared to his seasonal mark of 0°. Grading out in the 86th percentile, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has posted a .274 batting average since the start of last season.

In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report calls for the 3rd-most favorable pitching conditions of the day. Playing on the road generally reduces hitter metrics in all categories due to the lack of home field advantage, which ought to be the case for Oneil Cruz in today's matchup.

Tommy Pham has been hot recently, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 90.4-mph to 92.7-mph in the past 7 days. Compared to his seasonal average of 6°, Tommy Pham has significantly improved his launch angle lately, posting a 18.3° mark in the last week's worth of games. Tommy Pham has been unlucky this year, compiling a .224 wOBA despite the leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimating his true talent level to be .310 — a .086 difference.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 75th percentile when estimating his batting average talent. Ke'Bryan Hayes's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last year to this one, going from 41.8% to 50.8%. In terms of his wOBA and overall offense, Ke'Bryan Hayes has been unlucky this year. His .251 figure falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .295.

Jo Adell will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Andrew Heaney in today's game. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Jo Adell will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to boost all of his stats. Jo Adell's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last year to this one, increasing from 38.3% to 54.8%. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.235) may lead us to conclude that Jo Adell has been unlucky since the start of last season with his .210 actual batting average.

Travis d'Arnaud is projected to bat 5th in the lineup in this matchup. Travis d'Arnaud will have the handedness advantage against Andrew Heaney today. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Travis d'Arnaud will hold the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should boost all of his stats. Since the start of last season, Travis d'Arnaud's flyball exit velocity (a reliable stat to evaluate power) grades out in the 87th percentile at 95 mph.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Joey Bart in the 77th percentile when estimating his BABIP skill. Joey Bart is penciled in 5th in the batting order in this matchup. Joey Bart has seen a significant gain in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 102.1-mph average in the last 14 days to his seasonal figure of 97-mph. Compared to last year, Joey Bart has improved his ability to hit the ball at a launch angle ideal for home runs, increasing his percentage of balls hit between 23° and 34° from 12.2% to 30.3% this season. In the last 14 days, Joey Bart's 50% rate of hitting balls at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 30.3%.

Luis Rengifo's batting average talent is projected to be in the 79th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). The switch-hitting Luis Rengifo will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his good side (0) today against Andrew Heaney. Extreme flyball batters like Luis Rengifo tend to perform better against extreme groundball pitchers like Andrew Heaney. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter metrics in all categories, and Luis Rengifo will hold that advantage in today's matchup.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Logan O'Hoppe ranks in the 83rd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Logan O'Hoppe is projected to hit 5th in the batting order in this matchup. Logan O'Hoppe will hold the platoon advantage over Andrew Heaney in today's game. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter stats in all categories, and Logan O'Hoppe will hold that advantage in today's matchup.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Taylor Ward ranks in the 93rd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Taylor Ward is penciled in 4th in the batting order in this game. Hitting from the opposite that Andrew Heaney throws from, Taylor Ward will have an edge today. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Home field advantage generally bolsters batter metrics in all categories, and Taylor Ward will hold that advantage in today's game.

Enmanuel Valdez is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in this matchup. Enmanuel Valdez will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Jack Kochanowicz in today's game. Extreme flyball bats like Enmanuel Valdez generally hit better against extreme groundball pitchers like Jack Kochanowicz. Enmanuel Valdez has seen a notable gain in his exit velocity this year; just compare his 91.8-mph average to last year's 89.3-mph EV. Enmanuel Valdez's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved from last year to this one, going from 36.4% to 54.1%.

As it relates to his overall offensive ability, Andrew McCutchen ranks in the 83rd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Andrew McCutchen is projected to bat 3rd in the lineup today.

When estimating his overall offensive ability, Jorge Soler ranks in the 94th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Jorge Soler is projected to hit 1st in the lineup today. Hitting from the opposite that Andrew Heaney throws from, Jorge Soler will have the upper hand in today's matchup. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Home field advantage generally boosts batter stats in all categories, and Jorge Soler will hold that advantage today.

Batting from the opposite that Jack Kochanowicz throws from, Adam Frazier will have an advantage today. Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.244) implies that Adam Frazier has been unlucky since the start of last season with his .205 actual batting average.

Mike Trout projects as the 10th-best batter in baseball, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Mike Trout is penciled in 3rd in the batting order today. Mike Trout will hold the platoon advantage against Andrew Heaney today. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Mike Trout is an extreme flyball hitter and squares off against the weak outfield defense of Pittsburgh (#3-worst of the day).

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Kyren Paris in the 86th percentile when estimating his BABIP talent. Kyren Paris will hold the platoon advantage over Andrew Heaney today. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield defense projects as the 3rd-weakest among all the teams playing today. Kyren Paris will possess the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Over the last 7 days, Kyren Paris's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 21.9% up to 66.7%.

Jack Suwinski has gone over 0.5 in 5 of his last 10 games.