First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
Venue: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
TV: SportsNet LA / SportsNet PT
This is the series finale of a three-game set. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0 after a 5-4 walk-off win in 10 innings on Friday (Tommy Edman’s single) and a 4-3 victory on Saturday (Tarik Skubal’s strong outing with 11 strikeouts). Los Angeles continues its strong push as NL West leaders; Pittsburgh sits outside the wild-card picture in the NL Central.
Starting Pitchers
Pittsburgh: RHP Lake Bachar (1-2, 3.75 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 73 K in 69.2 IP). Recently acquired from the Marlins; primarily a reliever this season with some spot-start experience. Solid command and strikeout ability in limited innings. Expected to serve as an opener or short starter in a potential bulk-relief scenario.
Los Angeles: LHP Blake Snell (1-1, 3.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 20 K in 15.0 IP). Two-time Cy Young winner returning from elbow procedure. Has looked sharp in limited starts since activation (strong outings including 10 K vs. Kansas City and solid work at Colorado). High strikeout potential.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Pirates key contributors: Oneil Cruz (CF, power/speed, recent multi-RBI games including HR), Bryan Reynolds (DH/OF), Nick Gonzales (2B, high average), Brandon Lowe (power leader), Esmerlyn Valdez (OF), Rafael Flores Jr. (1B), Jake Mangum (OF), Nick Yorke (3B). Offense capable of early production as shown in the series.
Dodgers key contributors: Shohei Ohtani (DH, power leader with 30 HR), Mookie Betts (SS/OF), Freddie Freeman (1B, high average), Max Muncy (3B), Kyle Tucker (OF), Teoscar Hernández (OF), Tommy Edman (IF/OF, recent walk-off hero), Alek Thomas (OF). Elite lineup with depth despite some absences.
Injury Reports
Pirates: Endy Rodríguez (10-day IL, hip); Ryan O’Hearn (10-day IL, quad); Konnor Griffin (60-day IL, finger); Mitch Keller (60-day IL, arm). Core bats like Cruz, Reynolds, and Gonzales available.
Dodgers: Andy Pages (10-day IL/hand fracture, expected multi-week absence); Dalton Rushing (10-day IL, arm); Edwin Díaz, Will Klein, Justin Wrobleski (15-day IL); longer-term absences including Tyler Glasnow (returning soon), Blake Treinen, Will Smith, and several others (elbow/shoulder/back). Star power (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Muncy, Tucker) remains intact.
Weather Forecast (Dodger Stadium / Los Angeles)
Sunny to mostly sunny and warm/hot. Highs in the mid-to-upper 90s°F (around 94–97°F). Lows in the mid-70s. Southwest winds 10–15 mph in the afternoon. Patchy morning fog possible, clearing quickly. Dry conditions with no precipitation expected. Classic late-summer Dodger Stadium weather—favorable for hitters with potential for the ball to carry.
Recent Team Forms
Pirates (63-68): Dropped the first two of the series after mixed results prior. Offense showed life early in games but bullpen/relief issues. Last 10 roughly 5-5.
Dodgers (79-51): Won five straight (including the series openers and prior series vs. Colorado). Strong overall form and home dominance. Last 10 roughly 7-3.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Dodgers lead the series 2-0 and hold a strong edge in the 2026 season series. Los Angeles has been dominant at home against Pittsburgh. Games have been competitive and relatively low-scoring.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Bachar (RHP, command/Ks in limited role) vs. Dodgers lefty-heavy or power bats (Ohtani, Freeman, Muncy, Betts, Tucker). Bachar’s ability to limit hard contact early will be critical against one of MLB’s top offenses.
Snell (LHP, high-K stuff post-return) vs. Pirates righty power and contact (Cruz, Reynolds, Lowe, Gonzales). Snell’s swing-and-miss potential matches up well against Pittsburgh’s aggressive approach.
Bullpens and late innings: Dodgers have closed strong; Pirates mixed. Power (Ohtani, Cruz, Muncy) vs. speed (Cruz, Edman). Warm weather and Dodger Stadium dimensions favor offense if pitchers struggle with command.
Betting Trends
Dodgers excellent as heavy home favorites and in series sweeps; Pirates competitive early but struggle to finish against top teams. Totals have been moderate in this series.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates 8.5
Los Angeles Dodgers – 275
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 22, 2026
