The Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates play the rubber match of their three-game series tonight. The contest is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. (EST) start time and it will be televised live on MLB.tv. Currently the Major League Baseball Odds for the game have Pittsburgh favored at home in this one.
Pittsburgh picked up a win last night against Josh Beckett, eventually scoring 12 runs in the game. The Dodgers scored some runs, too, as this was the highest-scoring affair on the board for Tuesday as a combined 19 runs crossed the plate. Should we expect more of the same in this one tonight or will we get a better effort form the pitching staff of both teams?
The Dodgers are going to send Dan Haren to the mound. Haren, a crafty veteran, has not been pitching well lately. He's lost each of his last three starts, one each to Colorado, San Diego and St. Louis. The Dodgers scored a combined 12 runs in those losses, seven of which came in an 8-7 defeat to the Colorado Rockies. In the losses to San Diego and St. Louis Haren wasn't able to get out of the fifth inning, handing it over to the bullpen in both instances.
Pittsburgh will see 1-7 Francisco Liriano take the mound. Remember when he was lights out in Minnesota? Times have changed. He's still a lefty that can get guys out, but his recent outings haven't been very good, much like Haren. But wait, it's also worth noting that the only team Liriano has beaten this year was the LA Dodgers, back on May 30 in a 2-1 low-scorer.
Whether it's a coaching decision or a lack of arm stamina, Liriano has not been able to go deep into games. In only six of his 16 starts this season Liriano has pitched at least six innings. The Pirates bullpen has the ability to be very good, but they shouldn't have to pitch as many innings in Liriano starts.
Tonight we like both lineups to keep hitting the ball. There might not be 19 runs scored between the two clubs again, but this could come close to double digits.
Free Pick: Pittsburgh 6, Los Angeles 4
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