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**Dodgers Look to Kershaw for Victory Over Pirates in September Matchup**

**PITTSBURGH, PA – September 2, 2025** – The Los Angeles Dodgers face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT. SportsNet PT will broadcast the game.

The Dodgers are banking on veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw to lead them to victory. Despite initial expectations of a possible “retirement tour,” Kershaw has proven vital to the Dodgers’ success this season, boasting a 3.08 ERA. The future Hall-of-Famer has adapted his pitching style, relying on a mix of sliders and his signature curveball to compensate for a slightly reduced fastball velocity. This adjustment has resulted in impressive rankings in barrel rate and groundball rate.

While the Dodgers’ offense has experienced a slight dip in production recently, ranking 12th in MLB with a 109 wRC+ in August, it’s still a formidable unit. With the return of Shohei Ohtani to form, the Dodgers hope to ignite their offensive output against the Pirates.

Opposing Kershaw is Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski. After struggling as a starter earlier in the season, Mlodzinski has returned to the majors as a reliever, lowering his ERA to 3.86. However, his underlying metrics raise concerns, and the Dodgers will look to capitalize on any vulnerabilities.

The Pirates’ offense saw improvement in August, ranking 16th in MLB with a 101 wRC+. Their increased walk rate has been a key factor. However, they face a tough challenge against Kershaw, who excels at inducing ground balls.

Oddsmakers favor the Dodgers, with a -180 moneyline. However, the recommendation is to bet on the Dodgers -1.5 at -110 odds.

**[Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images. Pictured: Clayton Kershaw]**

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