Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcasting: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Betting Odds: Los Angeles (-196), Pittsburgh (+162)
On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (61-77) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (78-59) at PNC Park. The betting line favors the Dodgers at -196, while the Pirates have odds set at +162. The total for this game is set at 8.5. Starting for the Dodgers is the talented Shohei Ohtani, facing off against Braxton Ashcraft.

The Dodgers have hit 217 doubles and 202 home runs this season. With a slugging percentage of .437, Los Angeles has struck out 1,158 times and walked 506 times. The team’s offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging 5.1 runs per game, ranking them 3rd in Major League Baseball (MLB). They have amassed 673 RBIs and 1,166 hits, holding a team batting average of .252 and an on-base percentage of .329.
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The Dodgers currently hold an earned run average (ERA) of 4.08, placing them 18th in MLB, with their pitching staff striking out 1,222 batters. They have allowed 159 home runs and 599 total runs (17th overall). The team’s pitchers have issued 462 walks, with a FIP of 4.10 this season. Los Angeles has surrendered 1,104 hits, averaging 8.2 hits allowed per 9 innings, and their K/BB ratio stands at 2.65, alongside a WHIP of 1.29.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has faced opponents with runners on base 123 times and has made 146 high-leverage appearances. They have racked up 105 holds (leading the league) and possess a 62.7% save rate, converting 37 saves out of 59 opportunities. With 486 relievers used this season, the bullpen has inherited 193 base runners, with a 24.4% scoring rate on those inherited runners.
Defensively, the Dodgers have converted 69.9% of balls in play into outs over 10,950 innings, ranking 16th in MLB. The squad has recorded 3,650 putouts, 1,166 assists, and 60 errors, boasting a fielding percentage of .988 (8th in baseball), along with 90 double plays.
Ohtani has pitched 513 innings in his career, accumulating 652 strikeouts with a career record of 39-20. He carries a FIP of 3.04, with an ERA of 3.09 (allowing 176 earned runs) and a career WHIP of 1.091, allowing 380 hits (6.7 per 9 innings) while issuing 180 walks.
The Pirates have recorded 100 home runs and 480 RBIs this season. They achieved 206 doubles and 450 walks, earning a total of 500 runs. Their team on-base percentage is .307, with a batting average of .234 and a slugging percentage of .352, averaging 3.62 runs per game (30th in MLB). They have struck out 1,201 times (8th in the league) and collected 1,071 hits.
The Pirates’ pitching staff has a combined WHIP of 1.215 and a FIP of 3.89 this season. Their K/BB ratio is an impressive 8.10 (1,089 strikeouts against 396 walks). They rank 8th in total hits allowed with 1,082 and have given up 132 home runs, allowing 4.16 runs per 9 innings (8th in the league). Pittsburgh’s staff has yielded 562 runs this season, with an overall ERA of 3.89 (525 earned runs).
In 113 save opportunities, the Pirates have achieved 60 holds but have also recorded 21 blown saves. They have had their relief pitchers enter in 51 save situations, successfully converting 30 saves. Their bullpen has been called into 133 high-leverage moments and has faced runners on base 120 times, with inherited runners scoring at a rate of 36.9% out of 187.
The Pirates have turned 98 double plays and boast a fielding percentage of .986 (14th in professional baseball), compiling 1,146 assists, 66 errors, and achieving 3,650 putouts this season. Their defensive efficiency is at 70.9% over 10,950 innings, ranking them 4th in baseball.
Ashcraft, with a career record of 4-2, sports a 2.59 ERA, allowing 7.8 hits per 9 innings. He has a K/BB ratio of 3.20 and has faced 214 batters during his professional career. His performance includes 15 earned runs allowed, a WHIP of 1.152, and a FIP of 2.6. Over his MLB career, Ashcraft has allowed 45 hits while recording 48 strikeouts across 52 innings.
Who do you think will clinch victory in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Guy Bruhn’s Prediction: Back Pittsburgh (+162)
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