PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, owners of the National League’s best record, visit PNC Park on Tuesday to open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature of 85 degrees.

The Dodgers (42-24) send right-hander Paul Skenes (6-5) to the mound. Skenes has posted a 3.10 ERA this season and will look to rebound from a no-decision in his last start. The Pirates counter with right-hander Bubba Chandler, who is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA over his past five starts. Chandler struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings in his most recent outing Sunday at Atlanta, allowing one hit and two earned runs in a 3-2 loss.

Pittsburgh (34-32) enters the game having lost four of its past five, including a 3-2 defeat Sunday that completed a three-game sweep by the Braves. The Pirates rank fourth in the NL Central but have won three of their past five home games.

Los Angeles is coming off a 13-5 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels, snapping a two-game winning streak. The Dodgers lead the NL West by six games.

Players to watch:

Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in Sunday’s loss. Rushing is hitting .351 over his past 10 games with two homers and eight RBIs.

Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his past four starts. He has 22 strikeouts over 20 1/3 innings in that span.

The Dodgers won the season series against Pittsburgh last year, taking four of seven meetings. Los Angeles holds a 10-5 edge over the Pirates since the start of the 2023 season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Dodgers victory.

The series continues Wednesday and Thursday before both teams hit the road. Los Angeles travels to Chicago to face the White Sox, and Pittsburgh hosts Miami.