Dodgers vs Pirates Preview: Heroic Aces Shine in Week 64

The Dodgers' bats are absolutely on fire. In the last two games, they've scored 12 and 8 runs against Pittsburgh. You saw Shohei Ohtani crush two homers—one that flew 412 feet and another that sailed over center field. Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor, and Will Smith keep putting the ball in play hard. The Pirates' pitchers have struggled to slow them down. This lineup features some of the best hitters in baseball. They're hungry after winning yesterday's wild finish.

Mitch Keller is Pittsburgh's steady right-hander on the bump tonight. He was an All-Star back in 2023 and brings veteran experience to the Pirates' rotation. This season he's carrying a 5.29 ERA and has struck out 7 batters. The Dodgers' lineup will test him immediately. Keller needs to throw strikes and keep the ball down. If he can get early outs, the Pirates have a real shot to bounce back from their recent struggles.

The Pirates are struggling right now. They've dropped four straight games and sit at 34-33 on the season. But yesterday's loss to Los Angeles was close—just one run decided it. That gives Pittsburgh hope. The home crowd at PNC Park can lift the team's energy. Endy Rodriguez has been hot lately, swinging hard and driving in runs. If the Pirates can string some hits together early, they can build confidence and slow down the Dodgers' hot bats.