Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Preview – 6/9/2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers open a three-game series at PNC Park on Tuesday night against a Pittsburgh Pirates club that has been one of the pleasant surprises in the National League. Los Angeles enters the game with a 42-24 record and one of the best run differentials in baseball, while Pittsburgh sits above .500 at 34-32 and remains firmly in the postseason picture. The headline attraction is Pirates ace Paul Skenes taking the ball against the dangerous lineup of the Dodgers, in a game that will have the attention of the baseball world on Tuesday.

Our Dodgers vs Pirates Prediction

• Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline
• Confidence: 3.5 out of 5

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Model Projection

• Score Projection: Pirates 4 – Dodgers 3
• Win Probability: Pirates 55%, Dodgers 45%

I’m projecting a low-scoring game built around the starting pitching edge for the Pirates. While the Dodgers own stronger season-long offensive and pitching numbers, the specific matchup favors Pittsburgh. Skenes has posted a 3.09 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 70 innings. Lauer has allowed 13 home runs in 47 innings and carries a 5.74 ERA into one of the toughest road assignments in the National League.

The Pirates have dramatically improved at the plate in 2026, ranking among the better offenses in baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS. Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and Brandon Lowe have helped transform Pittsburgh from a below-average offense into a legitimate threat. Los Angeles remains the more complete team overall, but with Skenes on the mound at home and the Dodgers dealing with several key injuries, the value side is Pittsburgh in a game that could be decided by a single swing late.

Game Snapshot

• Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates
• Date & Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Eric Lauer vs Paul Skenes
• Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
• Broadcast: MLB.tv

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Same Game Parlay

• Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline -110
• Under 8 Runs -114
• Paul Skenes 7+ Strikeouts -112

Parlay Odds: +370

The foundation of this parlay is Skenes. He has recorded 82 strikeouts in 70 innings and faces a Dodgers lineup that remains dangerous but is missing some key contributors. If Skenes controls the game, the under becomes attractive, and Pittsburgh’s chances of securing the victory rise substantially. Current market pricing has Pittsburgh as a slight favorite in a game with a total of 7.5 to 8 runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Home Run Prop

Pick: Oneil Cruz to hit a home run +340

Cruz remains one of the premier power threats in the Pirates lineup. Lauer has surrendered 13 home runs in only 47 innings this season, and Cruz’s ability to drive the ball to all fields makes him an appealing home run target in this matchup. Pittsburgh’s offensive growth has been fueled by improved power production, and Cruz is a major reason why.

Betting Trends & H2H

• Dodgers record: 42-24
• Pirates record: 34-32
• Dodgers road record: 20-12
• Pirates home record: 18-15
• Dodgers last 10 games: 6-4
• Pirates last 10 games: 5-5
• The under is 38-28 in Dodgers games so far this season.
• The over is 37-27-2 in games involving the Pirates in 2026.

Stat Comparison

Los Angeles owns the stronger overall statistical resume and has been one of baseball’s elite clubs through the first two months of the season. However, baseball is often about the specific matchup rather than season-long numbers. Skenes gives Pittsburgh a major edge on the mound, and the Pirates have developed into a much more productive offense than the version seen in 2025.

Our projected outcome is a tightly contested game with limited scoring opportunities. Skenes should be able to neutralize much of the Dodgers lineup, while Pittsburgh’s improved offense does enough damage against Lauer to earn a victory. My recommendation is taking Pittsburgh on the moneyline, with a projected final score of Pirates 4, Dodgers 3.

More Baseball Betting Resources

• All Baseball Betting Picks
• MLB Best Bets
• MLB Parlay Picks
• MLB Prop Bets
• NRFI Picks Today
• MLB Betting Bonuses

Jay Sanin

Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.

Affiliate Disclosure

ATS.io uses affiliate links. If you sign up through a link on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings are based on hands-on testing and published criteria, and affiliate relationships do not determine placement.