Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, August 22, 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, with the opening game action at 7:15 PM ET. Pittsburgh is 63-66, fourth in the NL Central, and 29-34 on the road after beating Detroit 4-3 Wednesday. The Pirates have won three of their last four games. Los Angeles is 77-51, first in the NL West, and 37-26 at home after a 6-4 extra-inning win over Colorado. The Dodgers have won three straight. Build your bankroll with our free MLB picks.

Pittsburgh Pirates Continue Strong Offensive Season

Pittsburgh ranks third in MLB with a .256 batting average and has scored 646 runs through 129 games. The Pirates have a .333 on-base percentage and .411 slugging percentage with 155 home runs and 108 stolen bases. Brandon Lowe leads the club with 27 homers and 80 RBI, while Nick Gonzales is batting .310 with 140 hits. Bryan Reynolds owns a .370 on-base percentage, and Oneil Cruz has contributed 15 homers and 22 stolen bases in 66 games.

The Pirates have scored at least four runs in four straight games, winning three during that stretch. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been less consistent over the full season, ranking 21st in MLB with a 4.29 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Pirates pitchers have allowed a .240 batting average and 133 home runs while recording 1,196 strikeouts. Pittsburgh has been better during daytime games at 33-21, although the club enters Saturday below .500 away from home.

Injuries: Endy Rodriguez (10-Day IL), Konnor Griffin (60-Day IL), Ryan O'Hearn (10-Day IL), Mitch Keller (60-Day IL).

Los Angeles Dodgers Return Home on Winning Streak

Los Angeles ranks second in MLB with a .260 batting average and has scored 640 runs. The Dodgers own a .335 on-base percentage and .430 slugging percentage with 166 home runs. Shohei Ohtani leads Los Angeles with 30 homers and 80 RBI while batting .291 with a .388 on-base percentage. Freddie Freeman is hitting .303 with 142 hits, while Andy Pages has 21 home runs and 80 RBI. Max Muncy adds another 25 homers and 64 RBI.

The Dodgers have scored 24 runs during their three-game winning streak after managing only three total runs in consecutive losses to Milwaukee. Los Angeles also ranks sixth in MLB pitching with a 3.70 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Dodgers pitchers have held opponents to a .218 batting average while recording 1,154 strikeouts and 67 quality starts. Los Angeles enters this matchup nine games ahead in the NL West and has posted a 37-26 record at Dodger Stadium.

Injuries: Hunter Feduccia (Day-To-Day), Gavin Stone (60-Day IL), Ben Casparius (60-Day IL), Bobby Miller (60-Day IL), Tyler Glasnow (60-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Jones

Jones is 2-5 with a 4.78 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 64.0 innings. The right-hander has allowed 56 hits, 21 walks and 11 home runs while striking out 72. Jones has a solid strikeout total for his workload, but his 4.78 ERA leaves room for improvement entering Saturday’s start.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Tarik Skubal

Skubal is 7-7 with a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 113.2 innings. The left-hander has allowed only 89 hits and 20 walks while recording 135 strikeouts. Skubal has surrendered 12 home runs and enters Saturday with the clear statistical advantage in ERA, WHIP and innings pitched.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Game Pick

• Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

Los Angeles has several statistical advantages that make the Dodgers -1 worth backing Saturday. Skubal owns a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, compared with Jones at 4.78 and 1.20. The Dodgers have also won three straight while scoring 24 runs, and their pitching staff ranks sixth in MLB with a 3.70 ERA. Pittsburgh has played well recently, but Los Angeles is 37-26 at home and has the stronger starting pitcher. Those advantages support the Dodgers covering the run line at Dodger Stadium.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Over/Under Pick

• Over

Saturday’s matchup points toward the over, with both offenses ranking near the top of MLB in several important categories. Pittsburgh is third in batting average at .256 and has scored 646 runs, while Los Angeles ranks second at .260 with 640 runs and 166 home runs. The Dodgers have also scored 24 runs during their current three-game winning streak. Skubal presents a difficult matchup, but Jones owns a 4.78 ERA and has allowed 11 home runs in 64 innings, giving Los Angeles opportunities to cash the total over.