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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers September 4th 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Dodgers hold a record of 78-61 and are at the top of the NL West division. They have lost their last two games and are 5-5 in their last 10. The Pirates, with a record of 63-77, are in fifth place in the NL Central. They have won their last two games and are 7-3 in their last 10.
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Blake Snell will start for the Dodgers. He has a 3-3 record with a 2.41 ERA and a WHIP of 1.37. The Pirates will counter with Paul Skenes, who has a 9-9 record, a 2.05 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.95. The game will be played on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 6:40 PM. Fans can watch the game on SN LA, and the weather forecast predicts light rain with a mild breeze.
Dodgers vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
- Betting Odds: Dodgers Moneyline -119, Pirates Moneyline +101, Dodgers Runline -1.5 (+145), Pirates Runline +1.5 (-173), Total Over 7.0 (-121), Total Under 7.0 (+101)
Dodgers vs Pirates Picks & Predictions
The Los Angeles Dodgers head into Thursday’s finale desperate to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both teams will send aces to the mound—Blake Snell for LA, Paul Skenes for Pittsburgh—in what feels like a playoff-level showdown.
The Pirates won 3-0 on Wednesday, silencing a loaded Dodgers lineup led by Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. But with Snell taking the hill, LA hopes to flip the script.
Dodgers Can Win If
The Dodgers are trying to recover after being blanked despite solid hitting from Shohei Ohtani, who tallied two of the team’s six hits. While their offense has gone quiet lately, the Dodgers still rank 2nd in both slugging and home runs, thanks to the firepower of players like Ohtani, Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Will Smith.
Blake Snell (3-3, 2.41 ERA) returns to the mound after allowing three runs over 5.1 innings in a 3-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. His velocity was slightly down following paternity leave, but the former Cy Young winner isn’t worried.
His ability to keep the Pirates’ offense quiet is critical. Although his career ERA vs Pittsburgh is 6.86, he hasn’t faced this lineup in 2025. If Snell can manage the early innings, the Dodgers’ offense may have enough pop to support him.
Pirates Can Win If
Pittsburgh continues to ride the success of their 23-year-old ace Paul Skenes (9-9, 2.05 ERA). He owns the best ERA in live-ball era history through 51 starts and already dominated the Dodgers once this season—throwing 6.1 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts in LA back in April.
On Wednesday, the Pirates leaned on home runs from Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds and a 3-for-3 night from Joey Bart. Their pitching held LA to zero runs and six hits.
Skenes has tossed 167 innings across 28 starts and will likely be managed carefully as the season winds down. But when he’s locked in, few can match his strikeout stuff or mound presence.
Betting Lean: Dodgers Moneyline & Over 7.0 Runs
| Bet Type | Odds/Projection |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Dodgers -119 |
| Pirates ML | +100 |
| Projected Score | Dodgers 5 – Pirates 3 |
| Game Total | 8 runs (Set line: 7.0) |
| Total Bet Lean | Over 7.0 Runs |
The Dodgers are slight favorites, and with a projected score of 5-3, the over on 7.0 looks like the best total play. Despite elite starting pitching, both lineups are capable of scoring in bunches—especially late against bullpens.
Key Players to Watch
Here’s a breakdown of pivotal players and how they may shape the outcome.
| Player | Key Stat or Note |
|---|---|
| Paul Skenes | Best ERA (2.01) through first 51 career starts |
| Blake Snell | 2.41 ERA this season, velocity a concern |
| Shohei Ohtani | Multi-hit effort last game |
| Bryan Reynolds | Leads Pirates with 15 HR, 69 RBIs |
| Will Smith | Day-to-day after hand injury |
Smith’s availability could impact LA’s offensive strategy, especially against Skenes’ heavy fastball-slider mix.
Series Stakes and Team Trends
The Dodgers have dropped four of their last five and now sit two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the No. 2 seed in the National League. Every game matters as they try to secure a first-round bye.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 51-51 under interim manager Don Kelly and continue to exceed expectations with solid pitching and timely hitting.
Notably:
- Dodgers are 22-11 vs teams below .500 on the road
- Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10 home games
- The under has hit in 4 of the Pirates’ last 6 games
Final Thoughts & Best Bets
This is more than just a regular-season finale—it’s a Cy Young audition for Skenes and a playoff test for LA. The Dodgers have the edge in offensive depth, but Skenes’ dominance and home-field advantage keep Pittsburgh live.
Recommended bets:
- Dodgers -119 Moneyline
- Over 7.0 Total Runs
- Blake Snell Over 6.5 Strikeouts
- Bryan Reynolds to record 2+ Total Bases
Looking for more MLB insights? Visit the expert betting guide or browse full MLB odds and scores.
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