Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Picks and Preview – August 7, 2015

Two of the best hurlers in the MLB battle it out this Friday night, as Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers (62-46) pay Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-44) a visit for the first game of a critical three-game set at PNC Park.

Both clubs will definitely be playing their hearts out, trying to gain as many wins as possible before the regular season reaches its conclusion. Who will come out hungrier and emerge with the victory? Read on below and check our full preview of this colossal clash.

And while you’re at it, check out also our in-depth breakdown of the AL East showdown between the Blue Jays and Yankees.
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When:  Friday, August 7, 7:05 PM ET

Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-142) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (+132); Total: 6.0 — View all MLB Lines

Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a roll lately, winning six of their last seven games. They are atop the NL West standings, with San Francisco trailing them by only 2.5 games. Given this situation, losing any more games could prove costly for the Dodgers. They head on to PNC Park this evening for Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is another chance to strengthen their grip on a division title.

[sc:MLB240banner ]Getting the nod for Los Angeles is Clayton Kershaw, who has been phenomenal this year with a 9-6 record, a 2.37 ERA and a majors-best 192 strikeouts. The reigning NL MVP and five-time All-Star has been godlike in his previous 12 contests, going 7-3 with a 1.10 ERA and 112 K’s in 89 2/3 innings of work. Kershaw, who puts on the line his impressive 37 inning scoreless streak tonight, holds a 2-1 mark and a 2.39 ERA in eight career starts versus Pittsburgh.

But no matter how good the Dodgers’ ace has been, he’ll need some help on offense to get the win. Look to the combo of Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier to light up the plate. Puig boasts a career .414 batting average when facing the Pirates, and is also 5-for-6 lifetime off Gerrit Cole. Ethier, meanwhile, is on a five-game hitting streak, during which he is 9-for-23 along with 6 RBIs.

Dodgers are 4-1 in Kershaw’s last five starts.

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Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates

If you think about the possible candidates for this year’s NL Cy Young Award, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace Gerrit Cole is definitely included in that list. Cole has looked very sharp all season long, boasting an MLB-best 14 wins and a 2.29 ERA, which is the third best among all NL pitchers. He’ll look to continue showing off his pitching prowess when he steps on the mound against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cole is coming off a tough 4-3 loss to the Reds Saturday night, surrendering two earned runs on seven hits across five frames despite striking out eight. That wasn’t a poor performance from him, but was definitely not one of his more noteworthy performances. The 24-year-old’s also struggled when opposing the Dodgers; he is 2-0 but owns a 4.50 ERA in two career starts.

On offense, expect the Pirates to rely on Andre McCutchen and Michael Morse. McCutchen leads the team with a .291 batting average this year and is an impressive career 6-for-19 (.316) versus Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw. Morse, meanwhile, only bats .216 on the season but is 2-for-6 (.333) in the same matchup.

Also, left fielder Starling Marte could provide some spark on offense at the plate, going 3-for-8 in his previous two games.

Pittsburgh is 4-2 in his last six starts.

Writer’s Prediction:

Los Angeles (-142) wins, 7-2.
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