The Los Angeles Dodgers (63-53) and Pittsburgh Pirates (64-51) will continue an important four-game National League series on Tuesday night at PNC Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles held on to a 5-4 series-opening win over Pittsburgh on Monday night, as one of its newest additions played a major role in the outcome. Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino proved to his teammates that he has big-game experience, driving in three runs in the Steel City. “He’s been through the playoff runs the last three or four years,” commented Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. The Blue Crew are winners of four of five, drawing even with the San Francisco Giants in the NL West division race. Los Angeles is 27-27 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 2010.
Dodgers starting pitcher Chad Billingsley (8-9, 3.84 ERA) has rattled off four consecutive wins, including a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies in his last effort, giving up four runs and seven hits over 6.1 innings. The right-hander is 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 road outings, surrendering six home runs in 68 frames. In 11 career appearances (seven starts) versus the Pirates, Billingsley has compiled a 6-1 record and 3.83 ERA, including a 2-1 mark and 4.43 ERA in five outings (three starts) at this ballpark.
Pittsburgh is starting to lose sight of the Cincinnati Reds for the first time this season, losing nine of their last 15 games. The Pirates will need Garrett Jones to come up big offensively to turn things around, batting .395 in the month of August, while getting four hits in nine career at-bats against Billingsley. The club has scored just eight runs in four games against the Dodgers this year. Pittsburgh is 11-6 as a home underdog of +100 to +125, with the “under” going 11-5 in that situation.
Pirates starting pitcher Kevin Correia (9-6, 4.49 ERA) has led the club to victory in six of his last seven outings, including a 7-6 home victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks last time out. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 10 home starts, issuing 14 walks and striking out 31 batters in 60.2 frames. In 29 career games (12 starts) versus the Dodgers, Correia has tallied a winning 5-4 record and 4.20 ERA, which includes a no-decision effort in a 2-1 setback on the road on April 10.
Sports bettors will likely back the Dodgers due to their 4-1 record in Billingsley’s last five efforts in this series, while the Pirates are 1-4 in Correia’s last five starts as a home underdog of +110 to +150.
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