Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction, Thursday, September 4, 2025
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, and we have you ready to go with our Dodgers vs. Pirates prediction. First pitch from Pitt is at 6:40 p.m. ET.
The Dodgers are -125 moneyline favorites, and the game total is seven runs scored.
This is the second series of the season between LA and Pittsburgh. The Dodgers are 6-4 in their last ten meetings with the Bucs, and the over was 7-3 in those ten games. If you want the Dodgers vs. Pirates prediction, read on and check out our MLB Predictions to beat the sportsbooks!
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Dodgers hope Blake Snell can build off a solid August
Los Angeles (78-60 SU, 59-79 RL, and 65-57-6 O/U) lost two of three games to Arizona in its previous series. The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last ten games (the under was 6-3-1).
LA will turn to lefty Blake Snell tomorrow against Pittsburgh. In his last start, the 32-year-old allowed three runs on four hits and three walks, fanning eight batters in a 5.1-innings loss to the Diamondbacks. He is 3-3 with a 2.41 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in seven starts (37.1 IP) this season, including 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in two road starts (12.0 IP).
The Dodgers are fresh off a World Series title with the biggest payroll in baseball, but after a mediocre start to the second half (20-21), they are in a tight race to win the NL West. LA has all the talent in the world, but making it back to the top of the mountain will still be a challenge. Can they reclaim their lead in the title race?
Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Injury Report: No new injuries for Thursday's game versus the Pirates.
Pittsburgh will start its ace on Thursday
Pittsburgh (62-77 SU, 75-64 RL, and 57-77-5 O/U) won two of three games against Boston in its previous series. The Pirates are 7-3 in their last ten games (the under was 6-4).
The Pirates will start their ace, Paul Skenes, in Thursday's series finale against Los Angeles. In his last outing, the 23-year-old right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits, striking out six batters in a six-frame win against the Red Sox. He is 9-9 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 28 starts (167.0 IP) this season, including 5-4 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 13 starts (81.2 IP) at PNC Park.
Skenes has been the most interesting aspect of Pitt's 2025 season, as the ballclub as a whole hasn't made much noise in the NL Central. The Pirates have talent, as O'Neil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and Andrew McCutchen are solid players, but they need more help. Can they at least wrap up the season on a high note?
Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Injury Report: No new injuries for tomorrow's game versus the Dodgers.
Dodgers ML (5 Units)
Skenes is one of the faces of baseball, but LA will challenge him on Thursday. The Dodgers have been successful against him in the past (.350 wOBA and .531 SLG in 51 combined plate appearances), as Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, and Andy Pages have all taken him yard. Skenes has pitched about 170 innings this season, and that increasing count could start to affect the second-year pro in his next few outings. I'm also confident Snell will perform well tomorrow. He pitched to a 2.54 ERA in five August starts, racking up 34 Ks in 28.1 innings. Current Pitt hitters have a .193 BA with a 30.1% Whiff% in 72 previous plate appearances against the Dodgers' starter. The Pirates have struggled against southpaws all season, ranking 29th in wRC+, wOBA, and K%.
Bet on Los Angeles to win straight-up.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Over 7 (4 Units)
This is a low total, even for an anticipated pitcher's duel. If LA can score a few early runs against Skenes, the Buccos' bullpen won't be able to hold the Dodgers in check. Pittsburgh's relief group ranks 17th in ERA (4.13) this season, while Los Angeles' lineup ranks in the top ten in road scoring. Snell isn't always reliable to dominate, either. He gives up a lot of free passes (ten walks in his last four starts) and can be home run-prone. LA's bullpen ranks 20th in ERA and has given up 70 homers, tied for the fourth-most in MLB this year.
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