Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, 9/4/2025 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025

Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles (-144) Pittsburgh (+120)

The Los Angeles Dodgers (78-60) are traveling to PNC Park on Thursday where they will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-77). The line on this matchup has Los Angeles at -144 while Pittsburgh is at +120. The betting total comes in at 8. The expected starting pitchers are Blake Snell and Paul Skenes.

The Dodgers have recorded 219 two-baggers as a squad and have hit 204 baseballs out of the park. Los Angeles has a slugging rate of .438 and have been rung up 1,164 times, while drawing a walk on 508 occasions. As a squad, the Los Angeles Dodgers are recording 5.1 runs per game, which ranks them 2nd in baseball. They have accumulated 679 RBI's as well as 1,178 hits so far this year, while their batting average comes in at .253. They have earned 707 runs and hold an OBP of .329.

Get all of our MLB Expert Picks

The Dodgers have compiled a team ERA of 4.12 over the course of the season (18th in baseball), and the staff has rung up 1,229 batters. Dodgers pitchers have allowed 159 home runs in addition to 608 runs (17th in MLB). Their pitching staff has walked 470 hitters and their FIP sits at 4.11 as a team on the year. Los Angeles has conceded 1,112 base hits (8.2 per 9 innings) and 561 earned runs. Their strikeout to walk ratio is 2.61 and their pitching staff has a collective WHIP of 1.29.

The Dodgers relievers have accumulated a save percentage of 62.7% and have come into the game in 168 save situations. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 197 runners for the year and 25.4% of them ended up scoring. Dodgers pitchers have entered the contest with runners on base 125 times in addition to having 148 appearances in high leverage situations. The Dodgers have sent 491 relievers to the mound so far this year. The bullpen have recorded 105 holds so far this year (1st in baseball). They have recorded 37 saves for the year and have blown 22 of their 59 chances to get a save.

The Dodgers have turned 69.9% of balls hit into play into outs out of 11,022 innings, ranking them 16th in pro baseball. The Los Angeles Angels have accumulated 3,674 putouts so far this season, as well as 1,174 assists and 60 errors. Their fielding percentage sits at .988 which has them sitting 8th in baseball, and they have turned 91 double plays.

Snell (79-61 win-loss record in his career) has earned a FIP of 3.12 while going up against 4,695 opposing batters in the major leagues. He has given up 873 base knocks (6.9 hits per nine innings) and has 513 walks. His ERA is 3.17 (399 ER's allowed) and his WHIP is 1.223. Snell has taken the hill for 1,133 frames and has accounted for 1,406 strikeouts so far in his pro baseball career.

The Pirates have a SLG% of .353 and they average 3.66 runs per contest (30th in MLB). They have put up 209 two-baggers, while taking a walk 458 times as well as racking up 509 runs. Pittsburgh has knocked in 100 home runs on the year to go along with 489 runs batted in. They have struck out on 1,208 occasions (8th in the league) and have accounted for 1,079 base knocks. The Pittsburgh Pirates have an OBP of .308 in addition to a batting average of .234 this season.

The Pirates hold a team WHIP of 1.218 and are the owners of a FIP of 3.90 as a team on the campaign. Their strikeout to walk ratio sits at 8.00 (1,095 strikeouts against 398 walks). They come in at 8th in baseball as a staff in total hits surrendered with 1,094. They have allowed 134 homers and they allow 4.18 runs per 9 innings (8th in the league). The Pittsburgh pitching staff have conceded 569 runs on the season while holding an ERA of 3.91 (532 earned runs surrendered).

Pittsburgh relievers hold an inherited score percentage of 36.9% out of their 187 inherited base runners. Their bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the mound 133 times in high leverage situations and also on 120 occasions with base runners. Sitting with 116 save situations, the Pirates have 62 holds in addition to 21 blown saves. They are ranked 23rd in the league with a save percentage of 59.6%, and they have sent 430 relievers onto the diamond this year. Pittsburgh has had relievers step onto the hill in 52 save chances and they have earned 31 saves.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten 100 double plays and own a fielding percentage of .986 (14th in the majors). The Pirates have 1,158 assists, 67 errors and have 3,677 putouts so far this year. In 11,031 innings on the diamond, the Pirates have a efficiency on defense of 70.8% (6th in baseball).

During his career, Skenes has surrendered 215 base knocks while earning 357 punch outs in 300 frames. He has surrendered a total of 67 ER's while holding a WHIP of 0.950 and being the owner of a FIP of 2.0. He has a K/BB ratio of 5.10 and he has gone up against 1,168 opposing hitters in his MLB career. Skenes (20-12 mark in his career) is the owner of a 2.01 earned run average and has conceded 6.5 hits per 9 innings.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-144)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here