Dodgers try for more home cooking against the Pirates

The Dodgers close out their nine-game homestand with a weekend series against the Pirates, hoping to return the favor to Pittsburgh after dropping three of four games at PNC Park in June.

After a slow start to the season, the Dodgers offense has fared better at Dodger Stadium lately, including 5.45 runs per game over the last two homestands, totaling 11 games.

On the season, the Dodgers are scoring 4.19 runs per game at home compared to 4.67 runs on the road, though the underlying numbers have been much closer.

At Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are hitting .244/.317/.415 with a .316 wOBA in 2016, compared to .251/.321/.399 and a .312 wOBA on the road.

The difference has been with runners in scoring position, hitting .243/.327/.387 at home, and .263/.353/.425 in those situations on the road.

Where the Dodgers have really seen the difference home and away has been on pitching and defense. The club has allowed only 3.29 runs per game at Dodger Stadium, compared to 4.44 runs per game on the road.

The result is a +53 run differential and a 37-22 record at home, compared to +13 and 27-28 on the road.

The Dodgers are 7-1-1 in their last nine home series, and have won 20 of their last 27 games at Dodger Stadium.

Ross Stripling gets the call for the Dodgers, having allowed just two runs in 13⅔ innings in his four appearances since the All-Star break, including five scoreless innings last Saturday at home against Boston.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA