Series preview: Dodgers flock over to the ‘Burgh

Los Angeles Dodgers (34-25) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (23-35), June 8-10, 2021

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Dodgers SB Nation Site: True Blue LA

The defending champion Dodgers make their annual trip to PNC Park this week to play the Pirates.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this week:

Projected Starters

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. EST

Walker Buehler (4-0, 2.82 ERA) vs. JT Brubaker (4-4, 3.74 ERA)

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. EST

TBD vs. Tyler Anderson (3-5, 4.67 ERA)

Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EST

Julio Urias (8-2, 3.48 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (3-6, 6.65 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Dodgers

1. Mookie Betts (RF)
2. Max Muncy (1B)
3. Justin Turner (3B)
4. Cody Bellinger (CF)
5. Will Smith (C)
6. Gavin Lux (SS)
7. AJ Pollock (LF)
8. Chris Taylor (2B)
9. Starting Pitcher

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier (2B)
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Colin Moran (1B)
5. Jacob Stallings (C)
6. Gregory Polanco (RF)
7. Ben Gamel (LF)
8. Kevin Newman (SS)
9. Starting Pitcher

The Pirates definitely have their work cut out for them in this series.

Walker Buehler takes the mound Tuesday and is an undefeated 4-0 on the year. In his last outing Wednesday, Buehler pitched six innings, giving up three runs against the Cardinals in a win. Meanwhile, JT Brubaker missed his last start after being placed on the bereavement list. But, he pitched six scoreless innings in a win over the Rockies. However, Bru faces a much more difficult lineup Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Pirates will face Julio Urias, who is looking to pick up a Major League best ninth win on the season. He boasts a solid 3.48 ERA and he’ll likely face Mitch Keller, but Keller is still on the COVID list and would need to be activated before Thursday’s 12:35 first pitch. Should he stay on the COVID list, it’s possible that we see Chase De Jong have his start move up a day or the Pirates pick up a guy like Cody Ponce from AAA.