Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates: Picks, Predictions and Props - 6/9/2026
Use Code WWWC The Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for a high-stakes showdown at PNC Park this Tuesday, June 9th, featuring a marquee pitching matchup between Eric Lauer and Paul Skenes. This preview breaks down the latest betting lines, historical trends, and top player props to help you find the best value for this National League clash.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
- Best Moneyline Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers -104 (Fanduel),
- Pittsburgh Pirates -107 (BetRivers).
- Best Spread Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 +164 (Fanduel),
- Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 -143 (BetRivers).
- Best Total Odds: Over 8.0 -105 (BetMGM),
- Under 7.5 +105 (Caesars).
Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
- Time: 6:40 PM EDT
- Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers (42-24) enter this contest as one of the most formidable teams in baseball, though they are currently navigating a significant injury list that includes key pitchers like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. Eric Lauer takes the mound for Los Angeles, carrying a 2-5 record and a 5.74 ERA. While his season numbers have been shaky, Lauer has historically performed well against Pittsburgh, boasting a career 2.61 ERA against them. The Dodgers' offense remains elite, ranking 3rd in runs scored (5.01 per game) and 2nd in walks, led by the perennial threat of Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (34-32) counter with their young ace, Paul Skenes, who has been a bright spot with a 6-5 record and a 3.09 ERA. Skenes has maintained a high strikeout rate of 10.5 K/9 and has already shown he can handle the Dodgers' lineup, pitching to a 2.70 ERA in his career matchups against them. Pittsburgh's offense has struggled to find consistency, ranking 30th in runs scored (3.60 per game), but they have been much more effective at home. With Oneil Cruz listed as day-to-day, the Pirates will need Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales to step up against the left-handed Lauer.
Dodgers vs Pirates Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis
Over the 10 most recent matchups between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to June 9, 2026, the Dodgers hold a 6-4 advantage. During this span, Los Angeles has averaged 5.70 runs per game compared to 4.40 for Pittsburgh. Interestingly, the Over has hit in 7 of those 10 games, suggesting that while the pitching matchups often look strong on paper, the offenses frequently find ways to produce in this series. In their most recent meeting on June 2, 2026, the Dodgers secured a 6-5 victory, continuing a trend of competitive, relatively high-scoring affairs between these two clubs.
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I expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to win a tightly contested, low-scoring battle behind a dominant performance from Paul Skenes. While the Dodgers have the superior overall roster, Skenes' ability to suppress elite hitting and Lauer's vulnerability to the long ball (13 home runs allowed this season) give the home team the edge. Expect a game flow where Pittsburgh takes an early lead and relies on their bullpen to hold off a late Dodgers rally.
Best Bet - Moneyline Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (-107)
The Pirates are the play here at near-even money primarily because of the pitching mismatch. Paul Skenes has been significantly more reliable than Eric Lauer this season, posting a 3.09 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. While Lauer has a good history against Pittsburgh, his current form is concerning, evidenced by a 5.74 ERA and a tendency to give up home runs. Pittsburgh has won 8 of their last 9 home games, and with Skenes on the mound, they have a 52.83% implied probability of winning according to the odds at BetRivers.
Spread Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-143)
If you prefer a bit of insurance, the Pirates on the run line is a strong lean. Pittsburgh has been excellent at staying within games at PNC Park, and Skenes rarely gets blown out, having allowed more than 3 runs only once in his last several starts. The Dodgers have struggled to cover spreads as favorites recently, going 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games. This pick aligns with the thesis of a close game controlled by Pittsburgh's starting pitching.
Total Pick: Under 8.0 (-110)
Despite the historical trend of high-scoring games in this matchup, the current pitching situation favors the Under. Paul Skenes is an elite run suppressor, and while Eric Lauer has struggled, he faces a Pirates offense that ranks dead last in the league in runs scored. The Dodgers have stayed Under the total in 16 of their last 24 games, reflecting a trend where their pitching (when healthy) and occasional offensive lulls lead to lower scores. With a total of 8.0, a 4-2 or 4-3 Pirates win fits the expected game flow perfectly. This line is available at Fanduel.
Top Player Prop Picks
Shohei Ohtani Over 0.5 Hits (-200): Ohtani has been incredibly consistent, recording a hit in 9 of his last 10 games and 80% of his last 5 outings. While Skenes is a tough matchup, Ohtani's .302 season average and his ability to adjust to elite velocity make him a safe bet to reach base at least once
Andy Pages Over 0.5 Hits (-220): Pages has been a "Pirate killer" in limited action, hitting the over on this prop in 83.33% of his career games against Pittsburgh with a massive 2.0 mean hit rate in those contests. He has also recorded a hit in 8 of his last 10 games overall, making him a vital part of the Dodgers' offensive production tonight. Check the odds at theScore.
Marcell Ozuna Over 0.5 Home Runs (+525): This is a high-value longshot based on a dominant statistical mismatch; Ozuna has a career .545 batting average and a 1.947 OPS against Eric Lauer, including 3 home runs in just 12 plate appearances. Given Lauer's struggles with giving up home runs this season, Ozuna is in a prime position to leave the park at PNC Park. Find this prop at HardRock.
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