Dodgers @ Pirates

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Dodgers (32-18)

@ Pittsburgh Pirates (25-22)

Starting Pitchers:

Buehler (LAD): 4-1; 3.83 ERA

TBD (PIT) 0-0; 0.00 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 7-3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 5-5

Current odds:

Los Angeles Dodgers: (TBD)

Pittsburgh Pirates: (TBD)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a bit of an up-and-down start during their eight-game road trip, averaging seven runs in their three victories and scoring a total of one run in their two losses. Inconsistency hasn’t been a problem for the Dodgers in recent years against the Pittsburgh Pirates, however, and they’ll get a chance to continue their recent domination of the series when the teams begin a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday. Los Angeles has yet to play a game within four runs through two legs of its trek, sandwiching wins of 6-0 and 8-3 around a 4-0 shutout loss in Cincinnati before splitting a pair of contests in Tampa Bay. The Dodgers, who own the best record in the National League at 32-18, have thoroughly enjoyed the sight of the Pirates on the schedule over the last three seasons, winning seven straight and 14 of the last 16 meetings – including a three-game sweep at home in late April – while outscoring them 109-54.

• Pittsburgh has dealt with its fair share of lopsided defeats this season – five by eight runs or more – but handed out of its own in Thursday’s 14-6 rout of Colorado to avoid a three-game sweep. The Pirates clubbed four home runs while topping their previous season-high offensive output by four runs.

• Buehler was handed his first loss in 13 regular-season starts in hard-luck fashion Saturday in Cincinnati, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out seven across six innings. The 24-year-old has held opponents to a .213 batting average in three May outings despite the setback, going 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA while fanning 22 and walking one in 20 frames. Buehler has surrendered only one homer in 100 at-bats versus right-handed hitters this season entering his first career start against Pittsburgh.

• The Pirates will not announce the starter for the opener until Friday, but a strong candidate for the role is left-hander Steven Brault, who has made two starts in May and worked at least 3 1/3 innings in each of his three appearances. The former 11th-round pick backed into his first win of the season Saturday, earning the decision even though he permitted two runs on four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 frames. Brault is 1-0 despite a 10.29 ERA in three career appearances versus the Dodgers.

• Dodgers’ starting pitchers are 13-2 with a 2.11 ERA and while posting a 159:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 153 innings since April 25.

• Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell is batting .405 with 10 homers, 26 RBIs and 19 runs scored in May.

• Los Angeles OF Cody Bellinger failed to reach base safely for the first time in a game he started in Wednesday’s loss, ending the sixth-longest such streak to begin a season in major-league history at 45.