Megan: Steve, I just checked the schedule for tomorrow and I had to do a double take. The Pirates are walking into Dodger Stadium, the best team in the National League, and we're about to find out if this team has any fight left.
Steve: And that's not even the best part, Megan. They're coming off a walk-off win yesterday, they've got Paul Skenes on the bump, and the Dodgers are missing half their lineup. This is appointment viewing.
Megan: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Pirates fans! I'm your host Megan, and as always, the brilliant Steve is here to break it all down. Today we're previewing the three-game set in LA against the Dodgers.
Steve: And we're not just talking about any series. This is a chance for the Pirates to play spoiler against the NL West leaders, and we've got a ton to unpack.
Megan: Here's what's coming up: First, we'll break down the series and the pitching matchups, including Paul Skenes looking to bounce back. Then, we'll dive into the key hitters and the bullpen questions, plus the injury report. And finally, we'll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Steve: And stick around because we might just call our shot on a series win. Let's get into it.
Megan: Alright Steve, let's start with the big picture. The Pirates are 63-66, sitting fourth in the NL Central. The Dodgers are 77-51, first in the NL West. On paper, this looks like a mismatch.
Steve: It absolutely does, but that's why they play the games. And here's the thing: the Pirates just took two of three from Detroit, and they did it in dramatic fashion. That momentum is real.
Megan: Let's talk about that win. Brandon Lowe homered off Kenley Jansen with two outs in the ninth to walk it off, 4-3. That was a huge moment.
Steve: Huge. And Rafael Flores Jr. also went deep in that inning. It was a classic ninth-inning rally, and it showed me this team doesn't quit. That's the kind of energy you need when you're heading into a hostile environment.
Megan: That's a perfect segue to the pitching matchup. Paul Skenes is on the mound tomorrow. He's been struggling a bit lately, his ERA is up to 3.95, which is more than double his career mark of 1.96 coming into the season. What do you expect from him?
Steve: I expect a bounce-back, honestly. Skenes is too talented to stay down for long. He said himself he sees room to grow, and you know he's going to be fired up to face a lineup like the Dodgers. This is a statement start for him.
Megan: And the Dodgers are dealing with a ton of injuries. Riley Greene is on the 10-day IL, Parker Meadows is on the 60-day, and Matt Vierling is also on the 10-day. That's a lot of firepower missing.
Steve: It's significant. The Dodgers are still dangerous, but they're not at full strength. Skenes needs to exploit that. If he can keep the ball down and miss barrels, he's going to have a good night.
Megan: Who else do you expect to see on the mound this series? We've got a deep rotation, but I'm curious about your take.
Steve: We'll likely see Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler at some point. Both have electric stuff, but they're young. The Dodgers have a patient lineup, so they'll need to be efficient. And the bullpen has been a question mark all year, so we'll need length from the starters.
Megan: Alright, let's keep that in mind. We'll dive deeper into the bullpen and the injuries in the next segment. Stick with us.
Megan: Welcome back. We're talking about the key hitters for the Pirates in this series. Obviously, Bryan Reynolds is the anchor, but who else needs to step up?
Steve: Oneil Cruz is the guy I'm watching. He's got the power and the speed to change a game, but he's been streaky. The Pirates need him to be a difference-maker against a tough Dodgers pitching staff.
Megan: And Brandon Lowe is coming off that big homer. Can he carry that into LA?
Steve: Absolutely. When Lowe is locked in, he's a dangerous hitter. And he's got the veteran presence that can keep the lineup calm in a big spot. He's been a great addition.
Megan: What about the bullpen? We've seen some shaky outings this year. Kirby Yates and Camilo Doval are the high-leverage guys, but it's been a rollercoaster.
Steve: It's been a rollercoaster, but the back end has shown flashes. Doval's stuff is electric, and Yates has the track record. The key is getting the ball to them with a lead. If the starters can go six, we've got a shot.
Megan: Let's talk about the injuries for the Pirates. Endy Rodriguez is on the 10-day IL, Konnor Griffin is on the 60-day, and Ryan O'Hearn is also on the 10-day. That's a lot of guys out.
Steve: It's a blow, especially with O'Hearn out. He was providing some pop. But the acquisition of Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees gives us another veteran catcher, which helps with depth. And Henry Davis is still there, so we have options.
Megan: And Mitch Keller is on the 60-day, which is a big loss for the rotation. But the emergence of guys like Braxton Ashcraft has been a pleasant surprise.
Steve: Exactly. The pitching staff has more depth than people realize. Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones—they've all shown promise. The question is consistency, especially against a team like the Dodgers.
Megan: Alright, so we've got the key hitters and the bullpen questions. Let's wrap up with our keys to the series and a bold prediction. But first, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we'll give you the final word.
Megan: We're back. Let's get into the keys to the series. Steve, what's the number one thing the Pirates need to do to win this series?
Steve: It's simple: pitch well. The Dodgers have a potent lineup even without some of their stars. If the starting pitching can keep the game within reach, the bullpen can take over. And we need Skenes to set the tone in game one.
Megan: And on offense, what's the key?
Steve: Plate discipline. The Dodgers have a great pitching staff, and they're going to try to get the Pirates to chase. If we can work counts and get into their bullpen early, we have a chance. And we need to be aggressive on the bases—steal a few bags, put pressure on them.
Megan: Now, the bold prediction. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Pirates win this series. Two out of three.
Steve: I love the optimism, Megan. But let's be realistic. The Dodgers are the best team in the NL for a reason. However, with their injuries and the Pirates' momentum, I wouldn't be surprised if they steal one. I'll say they win the series opener behind Skenes, but drop the next two.
Megan: So you're predicting a split of the first two? That's not really a bold prediction, Steve.
Steve: Alright, I'll go bolder. The Pirates sweep the series. They're due for a hot streak, and the Dodgers are vulnerable. Don't @ me.
Megan: There you have it, folks. Steve is calling for a sweep, I'm taking the series win. Either way, we're expecting a competitive series in LA.
Steve: Make sure to subscribe to the Beatline Podcast Network, rate us five stars, and share this episode with your fellow Pirates fans.
Megan: And as always, let's go Bucs! See you tomorrow for the game recap.