Pirates vs Dodgers Betting Analysis: Winning Strategies Revealed

We start our Pirates vs Dodgers betting analysis with a look at both teams’ betting stats at the midway point of the season. Pittsburgh has lost bettors 20 units this MLB season, while the Dodgers have frustrated the betting public all season long with 482 units lost despite being nine games over .500.

Of course, that’s due to Los Angeles being a -170 favorite or better 34 times. In those games, LA is just 17-17 (-899 units). Let’s continue our Pirates vs Dodgers betting analysis by taking a closer look at both MLB teams followed by tonight’s MLB prediction.

Is “Competitive” Good Enough for Pirates?

It’s the great discussion that is had by fans of small market teams when teams like the Pirates take on large market teams like the Dodgers. The difference in payroll is $151 million, but Los Angeles is just seven games better in the MLB standings.

Are organizations like Pittsburgh happy to be within five games of .500 this time of the season? We secretly think that owner Robert Nutting and GM Ben Cherington are more than satisfied. The team is somewhat competitive while making a ton of money. The new 2022 television contract will give each team at least $100 million. So Robert Nutting continues to make money while his team spins under .500 most seasons.

Tonight, the Bucs will end their lone all-star representative, Mitch Keller (9-3, 3.34) to the mound in game one. Of his last five starts, the Iowa native has allowed one earned run three times. In his last outing against the Padres, the right allowed four hits in six innings, a 7-1 Pirates win.

In his last 13 innings, Keller has allowed just nine hits and two earned runs. We know who the Pittsburgh starter is, but his mound opponent is still a mystery as we turn our Pirates vs Dodgers betting analysis focus to Los Angeles.

Kershaw’s Availability Still Unclear

It’s hard to make MLB predictions when we don’t know who the starters are, but we know it’s going to be either Clayton Kershaw (10-4, 2.55) or Michael Grove (0-2, 7.54). Asked this morning about whether Kershaw was going to get the start, manager Dave Roberts said that the lefty may get the ball or go on the IL.

That is not a lot to go on if you’re the betting public as we wait for the opening number to appear. Kershaw is battling a sore shoulder after carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals last Tuesday but was pulled after 79 pitches. We’ve seen this before, our best guess is that we won’t see Kershaw until after the all-star break.

That means Grove is likely to get the start. The former West Virginia Mountaineer has been anything but reliable for bettors after allowing 16 earned runs in his last 21 innings (6.86 era). Los Angeles is not returning home in a good mood after dropping 2 of three against the Kansas City Royals. It was the first series win for KC since mid-May. The Boys in Blue allowed 15 earned runs in the last two games. We conclude our Pirates vs Dodgers betting analysis but giving you our official selection.

Number Not Up but Pirates The Play

We have been patiently waiting for a line to go up on this game, but until we have clarity of the Dodgers starter we’re going to wait. There is too much of a difference between Kershaw and Grove to put a lazy number on the board.

If Grove gets the ball we like the Pirates with Keller. The Bucs took two of three against LA in April, and after sweeping the San Diego Padres last week, are 12-6 (+820 units) against the National League West. Their 820 units, make the Pirates the most profitable team in baseball against the National League West. Our official selection is the Pittsburgh Pirates, but shave a little off your typical wager.

This isn’t one of our strongest opinions. That does it for our Pirates vs Dodgers betting preview, we wish you the best with your Major League Baseball wagers this week.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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