Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions April 25th 2025

Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Set for Epic Showdown in Pirates-Dodgers Series

The Pittsburgh Pirates are stepping into the spotlight this weekend as they square off against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. With a series win over the Angels in their pocket, the Pirates now brace for a three-game set at Dodger Stadium — and the action kicks off with a pitching duel that’s a must-watch.

Homecoming and High Stakes for Paul Skenes

Friday night’s opener will be especially meaningful for Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (2-2, 2.87 ERA), who returns to Southern California, the area where he grew up cheering for the Angels. After soaking in the surreal experience of being on Angel Stadium’s grass and chatting with Mike Trout, Skenes is now tasked with facing one of the most powerful lineups in baseball.

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“One of those things that you can’t forget how cool it is, what we’re doing,” Skenes said about pitching in his home state as a major leaguer.

Skenes had a mixed record against the Dodgers last season, going 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA across two starts. He’ll need to be sharp to outduel one of the hottest pitchers in the National League.

Yamamoto’s Rising Stardom

Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-1, 0.93 ERA) will oppose Skenes, bringing his electric stuff to the mound after back-to-back dominant performances. Yamamoto has pitched 14 consecutive scoreless innings, racking up 10 strikeouts in each of his last two starts, and he’s starting to look like the ace Los Angeles invested heavily in.

“I do think that right now, (Yamamoto) is the best pitcher in the National League,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Now, (Paul) Skenes is pretty good too, so no disrespect.”

This will be Yamamoto’s first career appearance against the Pirates, adding another layer of intrigue to Friday’s marquee matchup.

For those analyzing MLB picks and pitching duels like this one, Skenes vs. Yamamoto offers some of the most exciting betting angles of the weekend. To get expert breakdowns and projections for the game, be sure to explore the latest MLB picks.

Pirates and Dodgers at a Crossroads

Both teams come into the series facing critical moments. The Pirates, though buoyed by their series win over the Angels, narrowly missed a sweep after a tough 4-3 loss on Thursday. Pirates manager Derek Shelton knows his team must raise its game to hang with the champs.

“(Friday) we get arguably the best team in baseball, the defending world champions, and we just have to go out there and execute,” Shelton said. “Excited to watch it. It’s always fun to go to Dodger Stadium and always fun to play against the best.”

Meanwhile, the Dodgers are trying to snap out of a mini-slump, having lost three of their last four games. Despite scoring 16 runs in two games against the Cubs, poor pitching and free passes cost them dearly in a pair of one-run losses.

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“We’re just not pitching the way we’re capable of,” Roberts admitted. “I think we’re walking a lot of guys, giving free bases and having to be perfect to get out of jams.”

The Dodgers have dominated the Pirates historically, winning the season series six times in the past seven years, including a 4-2 edge last season. But with Skenes on the mound and confidence building, Pittsburgh may be primed to flip the script.

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A Matchup Worth Tuning In For

Skenes versus Yamamoto isn’t just a great matchup on paper — it’s a glimpse into the future of MLB aces. Both young stars are setting the tone for their teams and for baseball itself, and Friday night’s game could be an instant classic.