The Los Angeles Dodgers, sitting pretty at 77-51, are kicking off a quick one-series homestand tonight, Friday, August 21, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. They’re going up against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who roll in with a 63-66 record, and it’s looking like a classic David-and-Goliath setup on the mound.
Yamamoto’s Dominance Is No Joke
When Yoshinobu Yamamoto steps onto the rubber, you know you’re watching pure talent. This guy is absolutely carving up the league this season. Through 22 starts, he’s rocking a stellar 12-7 record with a filthy 2.60 ERA and an almost unbelievable 0.89 WHIP. Seriously, 0.89 WHIP? That’s not just good, that’s elite. He’s ranked 2nd in the entire majors in WHIP and a solid 8th in ERA. Pitchers dream of numbers like that, and Yamamoto is just out there living it. Batters gotta be feeling the pressure.
Bubba Chandler Faces a Massive Test
On the other side, the Pirates are sending Bubba Chandler to the mound, and he’s facing a monster. Chandler comes in with a 6-8 record, a 4.23 ERA, and a 1.37 WHIP. The big story here is this marks his first career start ever against the Dodgers. Sure, he picked up a win against them out of the bullpen back in 2025, but facing this Dodgers lineup as a starter is a whole different beast. He’s got his work cut out for him, big time.
Tonight’s game is set for 7:10 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. You can catch the action on SportsNet LA, or listen in on AM 570 (English) or KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish). The Dodgers are looking to keep their impressive season rolling, while the Pirates are hoping to pull off an upset on the road against a pitcher who’s making hitters look silly. It’s going to be a battle, that’s for sure!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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