Tonight, we talk about the middle conflict of another large Dodgers/Giants confrontation, the sixth in each team’s last nine games. Can San Francisco take control of the series?
With last night’s 2-1 victory, San Francisco has widened their lead in the NL West to four games in the loss column over Los Angeles. YouWager (visit our YouWager Review) and other top sportsbooks have the Dodgers favored at -134 when we reviewed their betting odds for tonight.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 – 09:45 PM EDT at Oracle Park
When you win a World Series, so many aspects have to fall into place that go your way. Last year was not easy for anyone with the virus, but the Dodgers (28-23 road record) didn’t suffer many injuries and ended up winning the Fall Classic.
After a 13-2 start, manager Dave Roberts’ team looked more than ready to defend their title. After that, little by little, injuries began to strip away the best everyday line in baseball, with Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and so many others on the IL. The depth has been tested, with players like Gavin Lux not getting better with hamstring issues and the starting pitching staff is not close to whole.
Roberts got angry last week when Dodgers fans booed Kenley Jansen off two horrendous blown saves in home losses to San Francisco, yet, it’s not the fans fault their closer throws 92 MPH compared to 98 previously.
Right now, the Dodgers’ problem is not only trying to catch the Giants in the division, it is staying ahead of San Diego, who will play 20 of their next 22 games starting Thursday versus opponents that have .500 or worse records. Take it into consideration for your MLB picks.
The Giants players are focusing on tonight’s tilt and Thursday’s as well. The same for fans once the game starts, but the Mercurynews.com and other local Bay Area papers and websites, have identified up to 10 players San Francisco (32-15 at home) should look to acquire before the trade deadline Friday.
They include Kris Bryant (Cubs), Starlin Marte (Marlins), Max Scherzer (Nationals), Jon Gray (Rockies) and Danny Duffy (Royals). Any of those players would energize the fanbase and the San Fran locker room, knowing their ownership is all-in on this special season. However, to acquire these players, you have to trade something and the farm system, though vastly improved over the past three years, is hardly well-stocked with talent.
Manager Gabe Kapler might have input on his needs for the team, but that is not his job. He’s paid to have his team ready and prepared to win and execute this properly, just like Roberts in the other dugout. Having the lead in their division, Kapler and company just have to keep winning and the rest will happen as it does.
Just like last night, we have another rematch from last week, this time Walker Buehler (10-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Anthony DeSclafani (10-4, 2.87).
For your MLB odds, Walker was brilliant in permitting one run and five hits pitching 7 1/3 innings. But Jansen blew the game for a second night in a row, with L.A. falling 5-3 after coming into the ninth inning with 3-1 lead.
DeSclafani threw six solid innings in permitting three runs and essentially did his job, providing his club with a chance to win. DeSclafani is easily having the best year of career and he’s back in the upper three’s for K-to-W ratio. The right-hander is conceding just a .184 batting average to right-hand hitters this season.
Since allowing four runs (three earned) to Miami on July 5 in only five innings, Buehler has a 1.33 ERA in three starts covering 20+ innings. He’s not given up a home run this month and only two since June 3, which is important against the second-best home run hitting team in baseball.
For MLB picks, we were correct on San Francisco yesterday, but we are switching to Los Angeles for Game 2. Buehler is 6-0 with a 1.96 ERA vs. San Fran (Dodgers 7-2), while DeSclafani is 1-7 (3-7 team record) with a 6.11 ERA against Dodger Blue.
With L.A. 21-3 after three or more consecutive Under’s and Buehler 14-1 in road games against division opponents the last three seasons (Dodgers Record), we are siding with the visitor.
Free MLB Picks: Dodgers (-134) ML at YouWager.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.