The Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on April 25, 2025, in what promises to be a lopsided affair based on early season form and recent performances. The Dodgers come into this matchup with a strong 16–9 record, riding the momentum of one of the best home marks in the majors at 10–2, and showcasing both a deep lineup and an imposing pitching staff that has consistently overwhelmed opponents. Los Angeles has scored 100 runs through 25 games while allowing just 90, a testament to their balanced approach and ability to execute in tight situations, and they enter this contest having covered the spread in 60% of their recent matchups with the Pirates. Pittsburgh, by contrast, arrives at 8–14, having been thoroughly inconsistent and plagued by offensive droughts, defensive miscues, and a pitching staff that has struggled to string together quality starts. The Pirates’ road woes are particularly alarming, with just two wins in their first 10 away games, and a glaring -25 run differential that underscores their inability to stay competitive against top-tier teams. While anything is possible in baseball, this opener figures to be an uphill battle for Pittsburgh against a Dodgers team that appears locked in on all fronts. The Dodgers’ combination of veteran leadership and youthful energy has made them a formidable opponent night after night, and their ability to pressure teams early with quick-strike offense has consistently tilted games in their favor. Players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani have given Los Angeles the firepower to overwhelm less disciplined pitching staffs, and the Pirates’ current struggles make them vulnerable to big innings if they can’t get early outs. Los Angeles’ pitching, while not invulnerable, has been sharp enough to prevent opponents from mounting sustained rallies, with a bullpen that has performed admirably in high-leverage situations.

This balance of offensive firepower and pitching depth allows the Dodgers to play with a level of confidence and swagger that few teams in baseball can match, and facing a Pirates squad that has struggled to even tread water against middle-of-the-pack teams gives Los Angeles a distinct psychological advantage. For the Dodgers, the key will be simple execution—playing clean defense, getting a quality start, and allowing their lineup to go to work against a vulnerable Pittsburgh staff. Meanwhile, the Pirates are staring down a harsh reality: if they are to even stay competitive in this game, they will need a near-flawless performance. Pittsburgh’s offense has shown occasional flashes, but too often those sparks have fizzled out due to poor situational hitting and an alarming tendency to strand runners. Their pitching staff has yet to establish an identity, and asking their bullpen to contain the Dodgers’ relentless offense late in games is a tall order. For the Pirates, staying competitive will mean manufacturing runs early, playing aggressive small ball to pressure the Dodgers’ defense, and hoping for a lights-out performance from their starter to buy time for the offense to find footing. Without a substantial shift in execution and confidence, however, Pittsburgh runs the risk of being overwhelmed early, leaving little doubt about the outcome long before the final out. In a stadium where the Dodgers rarely let visitors breathe, the Pirates will need to summon their best baseball of the season just to make it interesting.