Pirates, after thrilling win, search for repeat victory vs. Dodgers

A dream game years in the making for Tyler Callihan has the host Pittsburgh Pirates carrying momentum into the decisive contest of the three-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

The Dodgers will send left-hander Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.62 ERA) to the mound as they look to bounce back after letting a five-run lead slip away during the Pirates’ wild comeback 9-8 win on Wednesday.

Shohei Ohtani gave up a season-high three earned runs, plus an unearned run, over 6 2/3 innings while seeing his ERA rise from 0.74 to 1.06.

Callihan was 3-for-16 for his career entering the game Wednesday, with 445 minor league games and a list of injuries on his resume since 2019. Against Ohtani, he hit his first major league home run in the fourth inning. He later crushed a three-run homer as Pittsburgh took the lead in a five-run eighth inning.

“We had a lot of guys grind out at-bats and grind out pitches and plays that were made today,” Callihan said. “It’s great to be able to make that impact for the boys.”

Callihan made his first outfield start since May 5, 2025, when he suffered a season-ending injury to his left forearm and wrist after crashing into a padded wall in foul territory while a member of the Cincinnati Reds. He was playing in his fourth major league game.

The Pirates are hurting right now with multiple starters on the injured list.

Pittsburgh, which already had rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin on the IL due to a right forearm strain, placed outfielder Oneil Cruz on the IL with fourth- and fifth-metacarpal non-displaced fractures in his left hand.

Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller (5-3, 4.81) will try to get back on track Thursday after what’s been a rocky stretch over the past month.

Keller has allowed 13 runs and 17 hits over his past two starts (8 2/3 innings). He’s allowed six or more runs in three of his past five starts and at least four runs in four of his past five.

Keller has struggled against the Dodgers, going 2-3 with a 6.59 ERA in six career starts.

Wrobleski will make his first career start versus the Pirates, although he pitched two scoreless innings in a relief appearance last season in Pittsburgh in a 3-0 win.

Wrobleski might be in the perfect spot to assure Wednesday’s result was only a blip for Los Angeles, as he looks to build off the six shutout innings he tossed last Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was the fourth start this season in which Wrobleski has pitched six or more shutout innings.

Wrobleski’s strong performances have been huge for a rotation that has been shorthanded without injured Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.

“(As) an organization, you try to get young starters, and that’s probably the hardest thing to do, and to see what Emmet (Sheehan has) done still as a young pitcher, and you see what Justin has done, a young pitcher, and then you see where what Roki (Sasaki) has done in a calendar year, it’s really unique to see pictures of that service time be that successful,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Roberts said late Wednesday night that catcher Will Smith, who has missed the past four games due to a stiff neck, would be placed on the injured list retroactive to Monday. Dalton Rushing likely will make his fifth consecutive start, but the Dodgers are expected to recall fellow catcher Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Oklahoma City as well.

Pittsburgh also placed its starting catcher, Henry Davis, on the paternity list on Wednesday and recalled catcher Rafael Flores Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis.

–Field Level Media