The Los Angeles Dodgers have not been very dominant to start this season. That says more about the 2017-22 Dodgers than this year’s team.
During a six-season stretch, the Dodgers won 100 games four times. In one of the seasons they didn’t hit 100, they posted a .717 winning percentage and won a World Series in a COVID-shortened season. For most of this season the Dodgers were good, but not on a 100-win pace.
They could go on a run to 100 wins after that, and be right in the mix for a World Series title. The Dodgers won their ninth straight game on Tuesday night and are just 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the best record in baseball. The Dodgers are a -250 favorite at BetMGM on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, who lead the NL Central.
The Dodgers are also behind the Braves in World Series odds. Atlanta is +325 to win it all and the Dodgers are second in line at +450.
A key to the Dodgers’ title hopes is Clayton Kershaw, who was the starter on Wednesday night. Kershaw was once again very good and was in the Cy Young race before an injury kept him out for all of July. He had a successful comeback against the Colorado Rockies last week, allowing one run in five innings. The Dodgers’ starting pitching has been poor and they didn’t add a front-line starter at the trade deadline (Eduardo Rodriguez was supposed to come from the Detroit Tigers but he won’t waive his no-trade clause), so Kershaw will be the team’s ace. throughout the season.
The Dodgers began to make their push. They go 72-46, and another 100-win season is within reach. It wasn’t one of the Dodgers’ best teams in the past few years, but it was still good enough to win a title.
Here’s a first look at the sports betting slate for Wednesday:
The rest of the MLB schedule
There are four MLB afternoon games. The best matchup of the matinees is the Tampa Bay Rays at the San Francisco Giants. The Rays and Giants split the first two games of the series, and both have -110 odds to win Wednesday’s third game.
There’s a great pitching matchup in Toronto, as Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies faces Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are a -150 home favorite.
What is the best bet?
I’ll take the Houston Astros at -115 against the Miami Marlins. The Astros have Justin Verlander on the mound, and he had a 1.95 ERA last month. Marlins starter Jesus Luzardo has struggled a bit lately, making this an easier game in Houston.