The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face off on April 25th in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had a strong start to the season, with the Dodgers currently sitting at the top of the National League West division and the Pirates holding their own in the National League Central.
One of the key factors in this game will be the starting pitchers. For the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw is expected to take the mound. Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for over a decade. He has a career ERA of 2.43 and has struck out over 2,500 batters in his career. Kershaw has had a solid start to the season, with a 2-1 record and a 2.89 ERA.
On the other side, the Pirates will likely start Tyler Anderson. Anderson is a left-handed pitcher who was acquired by the Pirates in the offseason. He has had a decent start to the season, with a 2-2 record and a 3.92 ERA. Anderson will need to be on top of his game if he hopes to keep up with Kershaw and the Dodgers’ potent offense.
Speaking of offense, the Dodgers have been one of the best hitting teams in baseball so far this season. They are currently second in the league in runs scored and have a team batting average of .247. The Pirates, on the other hand, have struggled at times to generate runs. They are currently 22nd in the league in runs scored and have a team batting average of .225.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Pirates have been able to stay competitive thanks to their strong pitching. They currently have the fifth-best team ERA in baseball, with a 3.40 mark. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have a team ERA of 3.57, which is good for 10th in the league.
So, who will come out on top in this matchup? The oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers as heavy favorites, with a moneyline of -220. The Pirates, meanwhile, are listed at +185. While the odds may be stacked against them, the Pirates have shown that they can compete with some of the best teams in baseball. If Anderson can keep the Dodgers’ offense in check and the Pirates can generate some runs of their own, they could pull off the upset.
Overall, this should be a great game between two talented teams. Whether you’re a fan of the Dodgers or the Pirates, make sure to tune in on April 25th to see who comes out on top.
