Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction 8/22/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet Saturday in MLB action from Dodger Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Jared Jones for the start here and Jones is 2-5 with a 4.78 ERA and 72 strikeouts this season. Tarik Skubal will start for the Dodgers and is 7-7 with a 2.85 ERA and 135 strikeouts this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Recap

The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to rebound from a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Dodgers on Friday to sit at 63-67 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a game against the San Diego Padres.

Pirates Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped

Oneil Cruz has 69 hits including 10 doubles, 16 home runs and 49 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 97 hits with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 142 hits with 22 doubles and 55 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 122 hits with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 126 hits with 31 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs as well this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Recap

The Los Angeles Dodgers come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Pirates from Friday to improve to 78-51 this season. After this series, the Dodgers will head on the road for a set against the Atlanta Braves.

Dodgers Win 4 Straight

Andy Pages has 134 hits with 25 doubles, 21 home runs and 80 RBIs while Teoscar Hernandez has 81 hits with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 43 RBIs. Shohei Ohtani has 134 hits with 24 doubles, 30 home runs and 80 RBIs and Freddie Freeman has 142 hits with 30 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs and 61 RBIs this season. Will Smith has 6 home runs and 23 RBIs as well this season. Max Muncy’s added 98 hits with 18 doubles, 26 home runs and 66 RBIs and Kyle Tucker has 99 hits with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 55 RBIs this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends: August 22, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Tarik Skubal      Record this season: 7-7      ERA: 2.85
• Home Record: 3-3
• Last 5 against Pirates: 3-0

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers will win

• The Dodgers have won each of their last nine games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last eight day games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last five day games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Dodgers have covered the run line in five of their last six games as home favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Pirates have lost the first inning in seven of their last eight games at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four road games against NL West opponents.
• The Dodgers have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a losing record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jared Jones      Record this season: 2-5      ERA: 4.78
• Road Record: 2-2
• Last 5 against Dodgers: 1-0

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Dodgers have lost each of their last eight day games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have won five of their last six games as underdogs against NL West opponents following a loss.
• The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 day games following a home win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs following an extra innings loss.
• The Dodgers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five day games.
• The Dodgers have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight home day games.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the last nine games between the Pirates and Dodgers have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Pirates’ last nine road games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last 11 day games at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the last 10 games between the Pirates and Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles Dodgers Player Prop Facts

• Max Muncy has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances with the Dodgers as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Tarik Skubal has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Mookie Betts has recorded at least one hit in each of the Dodgers’ last nine home games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Shohei Ohtani ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.552) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against NL West opponents.
• Jared Jones has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 13 games against NL West opponents.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.311) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.218).
• The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for hits allowed this season (928).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1144).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1222).

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction

I’m on the Dodgers in this one. I like the price on the Pirates, the problem is that I don’t feel like Jared Jones can slow down the Dodgers in this matchup. Tarik Skubal has been hit or miss since being acquired by LA, but the Dodgers should be able to get it done at home here. Give me Los Angeles.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -235