Pirates vs Dodgers – MLB Free Picks

Coming into the year, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorites of many experts to take home the NL West crown. But after a slow start, they need to turn it around, and in a hurry. They’ll have the chance to do so in Saturday night’s betting odds.

Pittsburgh Pirates (10-12 SU, 11-11 R/L, 13-7-2 O/U) at Los Angeles Dodgers (8-14 SU, 7-15 R/L, 15-7 O/U)

Saturday, May 1: 10:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh:
(Zach Duke-L)

Los Angeles:
(Charlie Haeger-R)

The biggest problem all season for the Dodgers has been pitching (They rank 25th in baseball with a 4.97 team ERA), and it won’t get any easier as they send Charlie Haeger to the mound Saturday. Haeger is a journeyman in the truest sense of the word, having worked both out of the bullpen and starting rotation in his career. This season, he has made five appearances and four starts, but has yet to record a win. His 7.45 ERA seems right in line with his performances so far, completely below average.

If the Dodgers have one saving grace, it’s their offense. Behind several young players, it’s one of the best in the league, as they average over five runs a game, and collectively bat .273 (Both in the top 10 in baseball). Andre Eithier and Matt Kemp have been especially strong early, as they’ve combined for 12 home runs and 37 runs batted in.

As for Pittsburgh, they enter this game in third place in the NL Central, and are trying to stay afloat, with the explosive Cardinals in front of them.

Pittsburgh’s offense really isn’t much to write home about, as they score just 3.64 runs per game. However, there is hope. Young players like Andrew McCutcheon (.290) are mixing in well with veterans such as Ryan Doumit and Garrett Jones. After years of ineptitude, there finally is just a bit of hope in Pittsburgh.

On the bump in Saturday’s baseball betting odds, will be the enigmatic and inconsistent Zach Duke. It seems like Duke has been around forever, but never really seems to do much damage, as once again he’s off to a mediocre start. Duke is 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA, and has gotten shelled for 14 runs in his last two outings. He was excellent in his first three starts however, giving up just five earned runs through his first 19 innings of work.

So with two inconsistent teams set to due battle in Saturday night’s baseball betting odds, who should you take? The short answer is the Dodgers.

No matter how you break this one down, it appears that for all intents and purposes it’s going to be high scoring. With that, you want the more explosive offense, one that features Kemp, Eithier and others.

The Dodgers have struggled, and will continue to do so until they find consistency in their rotation. But they’ll get a win Saturday night.

Take them in the baseball betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Dodgers Moneyline, OVER Run Total