Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction for Sunday August 23 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers close out their weekend series on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET, with MLB.TV carrying the game. Pittsburgh enters the weekend at 63-67 overall and 29-35 on the road, while Los Angeles sits atop the NL West at 78-51 with a 38-26 home record. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Before placing any wagers on Sunday’s action, be sure to check out our free MLB picks for more baseball predictions and betting analysis.

Starting Pitchers

Pittsburgh is expected to start Carmen Mlodzinski, who enters at 6-6 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 102.2 innings. The right-hander has surrendered 113 hits while recording 81 strikeouts against 36 walks and allowing nine home runs. Los Angeles counters with Blake Snell, who has worked only 15 innings but has posted a 3.60 ERA and impressive 1.13 WHIP. The left-hander is 1-1 and has struck out 20 while allowing just 11 hits, six walks and no home runs. The limited workload creates some uncertainty, but the early numbers give Los Angeles a meaningful starting-pitching advantage.

Pittsburgh Looking to Stay Competitive on the Road

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup at 63-67 overall, including 29-35 away from home. The Pirates have played competitive baseball recently, going 3-2 over their last five completed games entering Saturday. They defeated Detroit twice and Boston once, while their losses included an 8-5 defeat against Detroit and a narrow 5-4 extra-inning loss to Los Angeles.

The Pirates have produced a .255 team batting average with 650 runs, 1,144 hits and 156 home runs. Their .332 on-base percentage and .410 slugging percentage show an offense capable of creating pressure, particularly when it consistently gets runners aboard. On the pitching side, Pittsburgh owns a 4.29 ERA and 1.32 WHIP while opponents are hitting .240.

The concern here is preventing Los Angeles from creating extended innings. Pittsburgh's offensive numbers are respectable, but a 4.29 team ERA leaves less room for error against a Dodgers club with considerably stronger overall pitching numbers. The Pirates have already demonstrated that they can keep this series competitive, but Sunday's pitching matchup makes their path more difficult.

Los Angeles Brings the Stronger Overall Profile

Los Angeles enters the weekend at 78-51 overall and 38-26 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers had won four consecutive games entering Saturday, including Friday's 5-4 extra-inning victory over Pittsburgh. Their previous three wins came on the road against Colorado by scores of 6-4, 7-6 and 11-5.

The Dodgers are batting .259 as a team with 645 runs, 1,127 hits and 167 home runs. They own a .335 on-base percentage and .429 slugging percentage. The most significant statistical advantage, however, comes on the mound. Los Angeles has recorded a 3.70 team ERA and 1.16 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .218 batting average.

That pitching advantage could be decisive Sunday. Los Angeles owns the better team ERA, WHIP and opponent batting average, while its offense also carries advantages in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and home runs. Pittsburgh has enough offense to remain dangerous, but the Dodgers possess the more complete statistical profile.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks and Prediction

Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline

Los Angeles is the side to back in the series finale. The Dodgers own the better overall record, a winning home mark and a substantial advantage in team pitching numbers. The starting matchup also favors Los Angeles based on the numbers provided, with Snell carrying a 1.13 WHIP and 20 strikeouts through 15 innings compared with Mlodzinski's 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Pittsburgh has been competitive lately, so this is not necessarily a runaway, but Los Angeles has more advantages across the matchup. Take the Dodgers moneyline.

Pick: Under 8.5

With no total available at the time of writing, take the under if the total is set at 8.5. Los Angeles has allowed opponents to hit only .218 this season and carries a 3.70 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Snell's early numbers strengthen the case for a lower-scoring game, particularly his 20 strikeouts and zero home runs allowed through 15 innings. Pittsburgh's offense can produce, but Los Angeles has the pitching profile to limit sustained damage. Under 8.5 is the preferred total.

This preview was completed before play began on Saturday, August 22, 2026.