MLB Predictions: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Pittsburgh Pirates (23-29) and Los Angeles Dodgers (29-25) will meet up in a National League matchup Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 21-16 in May since 2012

Pittsburgh has dropped back-to-back games, including a 5-0 loss to the New York Mets as -107 road favorites Wednesday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive affair. The Pirates are batting .267 and averaging 4.3 runs at home this season, but they’ve hit just .221 and scored 3.1 per contest in dropping 16 of 23 games away from PNC Park. Pittsburgh is 12-15 versus teams with a winning record this season, with the UNDER going 16-8-3 in that situation.

Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.76 ERA) has led the team to wins in four of his last five outings, but he didn’t factor into the decision of a 3-2 home victory over the Washington Nationals last time out. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA in five road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .286 against him. Cole allowed three runs in 5.2 innings of a 6-3 home win over the Blue Crew in 2013, as the Southern California native prepares to make his first career appearance at this ballpark.

Los Angeles had its three-game winning streak snapped last night, as it suffered a 3-2 setback to the Cincinnati Reds as -190 home favorites, while going UNDER the betting total for the fourth time in six opportunities. Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig went 6 for 13 against the Pirates last season, including 3 for 3 when facing Cole. The Cuban has reached base safely in 29 straight games—hitting .402 over that span. Los Angeles is 21-16 in May the last two-plus seasons.

Dodgers starting pitcher Dan Haren (5-3, 3.16 ERA) has been handed back-to-back defeats, including a 5-3 setback on the road to the Philadelphia Phillies last time out, as he surrendered five runs (two earned) and six hits over six frames. The right-hander has put together a perfect 2-0 record and 2.38 ERA in four home appearances—issuing three walks and striking out 18 batters. Haren is 1-2 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four outings versus the Pirates.