Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh Picks & Props

PNC Park has the 8th-largest outfield among all parks — generally bad for long-balls. The switch-hitting Bryan Reynolds will be at a disadvantage batting from his worse side (0) today against James Paxton

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Freddie Freeman as the 3rd-best hitter in baseball when assessing his batting average skill. Freddie Freeman is projected to hit 3rd on the lineup card in today's game. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Freddie Freeman will have an advantage in today's matchup.

Mookie Betts projects as the 7th-best batter in MLB, via the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Mookie Betts is projected to bat 1st in the batting order in today's game. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. In terms of his wOBA and overall offense, Mookie Betts has experienced some negative variance this year. His .397 figure falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .411.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Andrew McCutchen in the 81st percentile as it relates to his overall offensive talent. Andrew McCutchen is penciled in 1st in the lineup in this matchup. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Andrew McCutchen will hold the platoon advantage against James Paxton in today's game.

PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Gavin Lux will have the upper hand in today's game. The Pittsburgh Pirates have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Gavin Lux has a strong chance of holding the advantage against every reliever all game. Gavin Lux has had some very poor luck with his batting average this year; his .210 mark is deflated compared to his .250 Expected Batting Average, based on the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Connor Joe in the 76th percentile when assessing his overall offensive skill. Connor Joe is penciled in 3rd in the lineup in today's game. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Batting from the opposite that James Paxton throws from, Connor Joe will have the upper hand in today's matchup.

PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Despite posting a .168 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Chris Taylor has been unlucky given the .132 disparity between that mark and his estimated true talent wOBA of .300. Chris Taylor's 21.1° launch angle (a reliable stat to evaluate a hitter's ability to lift the ball for power) is among the steepest in Major League Baseball: 97th percentile.

As it relates to his BABIP talent, Teoscar Hernandez is projected as the 14th-best hitter in the game by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Teoscar Hernandez is projected to bat 5th in the lineup in this game. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.233) suggests that Teoscar Hernandez has had some very good luck this year with his .251 actual batting average.

Jared Triolo's BABIP skill is projected in the 97th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Jared Triolo will have the handedness advantage over James Paxton in today's matchup. Jared Triolo will benefit from the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to improve all of his stats.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Shohei Ohtani ranks as the 3rd-best batter in baseball. Shohei Ohtani is penciled in 2nd on the lineup card in this matchup. PNC Park profiles as the #27 venue in MLB for home runs, via the leading projection system (THE BAT). PNC Park has the 6th-highest fence height (on average) in Major League Baseball. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output.

PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Jason Heyward will have the upper hand in today's matchup. The Pittsburgh Pirates have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Jason Heyward can likely count on never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. In terms of the ability to lift the ball for power, Jason Heyward ranks in the 76th percentile with a 15.7° launch angle, which is among the most flyball-inducing angles in the majors.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 85th percentile as it relates to his batting average ability. Ke'Bryan Hayes is projected to hit 5th on the lineup card in this game. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Hitting from the opposite that James Paxton throws from, Ke'Bryan Hayes will have the upper hand in today's game.

PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. As a switch-hitter who is stronger from the 0 side of the dish, Yasmani Grandal will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his strong side against James Paxton in this game. Home field advantage typically improves hitter stats in all categories, and Yasmani Grandal will hold that advantage in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Edward Olivares in the 79th percentile when estimating his batting average ability. Edward Olivares is projected to hit 4th in the lineup today. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Edward Olivares will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against James Paxton in today's matchup.

PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 5th-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. Ranking in the 81st percentile for Sprint Speed at 28.38 ft/sec this year, Andy Pages is quite toolsy.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Miguel Rojas in the 83rd percentile as it relates to his batting average ability. PNC Park sits at the 6th-highest elevation in MLB. High elevation generally leads to higher offensive output. According to the weather report, the temperature and humidity for this matchup will be the 2nd-most favorable for hitting on the slate today. In terms of his batting average, Miguel Rojas has been unlucky since the start of last season. His .244 BA falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected Batting Average (xBA) at .295.

Miguel Vargas has gone over 0.5 in 2 of his last 10 games.