The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 22, 2026. First pitch from UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
The Dodgers are favored by -250 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Pirates are +230 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 7.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Pirates vs Dodgers prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Pirates vs Dodgers Prediction
- Pirates vs Dodgers Pick: Tarik Skubal Over 8.5 Strikeouts (+105, bet365)
My Pirates vs Dodgers best bet is Tarik Skubal to go over his strikeout prop. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Pirates vs Dodgers Odds
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -108 | 7.5 -114o / -106u | +230 |
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -111 | 7.5 -114o / -106u | -250 |
- Pirates vs Dodgers moneyline: Pirates +230, Dodgers -250
- Pirates vs Dodgers over/under: 7.5 (-114o / -106u)
- Pirates vs Dodgers spread: +1.5 (-108), – 1.5 (-111)
Pirates vs Dodgers Probable Pitchers
| Jared Jones (RHP) | Stat | Tarik Skubal (LHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | W-L | 7-7 |
| 1.0 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 3.2 |
| 4.78/3.68 | ERA / xERA | 2.85/3.01 |
| 4.15/3.76 | FIP / xFIP | 2.74/2.71 |
| 19 | K-BB% | 25.8 |
| 37.2 | GB% | 43 |
| .276 | BABIP | .281 |
| 101 | Stuff+ | 118 |
| 107 | Location+ | 106 |
Pirates vs Dodgers MLB Betting Preview
The Dodgers are massive favorites in this matchup, and it's the man on the mound who makes them deserving of the price tag. However, Tarik Skubal has not exactly been at his sharpest since donning the Dodger blue.
In his three starts since being traded, the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner has a 3.18 ERA. While that's not a ghastly number, his command issues have been very apparent as his CSW and walk rate are well down from his usual rates.
Although tonight he has the opportunity to bounce back in a big way against a Pirates lineup that is far worse against lefties than their wRC+ of 100 shows. Pittsburgh holds the second-highest strikeout rate and the second-lowest contact rate against lefties while also being in the bottom five in chase and swinging strike rate.
So, the Pirates have shown flashes of power, but they are more like lightning strikes against left-handed pitching. Between those rare strikes has been a ton of swing and miss, and that's where the game's most dominant left-hander can thrive.
Skubal's chase rate has still been elite as a Dodger, and he'll be able to get whiffs in the zone tonight. The strikeout upside is clearly there, and getting to nine may only be the start.
His price to do so is very favorable given the matchup. So back him to rack up nine strikeouts, and don't be afraid to sprinkle a bit on him, hitting double digits either.
Pick: Tarik Skubal Over 8.5 Strikeouts (+105, bet365)
