Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Pick/Player Prop
06 August 2021
The Angels come into this series with an overall record of 55-54, but that is not nearly as good as what was expected. Los Angeles just completed a three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers, and they do come into this matchup with some momentum.
The Dodgers come into this series with a record of 65-44, and they remain one of the top picks to win the 2021 World Series. This team still can’t find a way to catch the San Francisco Giants, but there is still time to go on a big run and win the NL West Division.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the betting favorites at -198 on the moneyline in the series opener against the Angels.
Pitching a Key For Angels
The Angels allowed just four total runs in the three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers, and pitching remains a big key for this team. The Angels currently have a team ERA of 4.67, and they struggle against some of the top offenses in the league.
Patrick Sandoval is set to start on Friday night, and he has pitched better than his numbers indicate. Sandoval has gone just 3-5 on the year but does sport a solid ERA of 3.38.
Shohei Ohtani continues to carry the Angels on offense in the absence of Mike Trout. Ohtani leads the team with 37 home runs and 82 RBIs, and the Dodgers will have to find a way to get him out.
Dodgers Finding Some Offense
The Dodgers have been red-hot at the plate of late, scoring 33 total runs in their last five games. Los Angeles is a team that is starting to get healthy again, and this team can wear down opposing pitching staffs.
Max Muncy and Justin Turner have carried the Dodgers on offense for much of the season, but there has been some help. Muncy leads the way with 22 home runs, and Turner has driven in 65 runs while also hitting .293.
David Price will be back on the mound Friday night, and the Dodgers need a solid start from the veteran. Price is 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA, but much of that work has come out of the bullpen.
Dunkel's Pick: Angels (+178) Over Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have some dominant starting pitchers in their rotation, but David Price is not one of them. Price has been solid this season, but this is a great chance for the Angels to stay red-hot.
The Los Angeles Angels were expected to be in the playoff hunt this season, but injuries derailed the season early. This is still a very talented team, and they should be able to put up some runs on Friday night.
Look for this to be an upset in the series opener as the Angels win their fourth straight game. Bet the Los Angeles Angels moneyline (+178) over the Dodgers on Friday night.
Player Prop
Justin Turner (-280) Over 0.5 Hits
Turner says he still feels a “void” from not being on the field at the end of last year’s WS win because of a positive COVID-19 test. The 36-year-old third baseman has certainly been doing all he can to get back to the championship this year and finish the job.
He leads the Dodgers in batting average (.293), hits (109), RBI (65), total bases (185), while being second to Max Muncy in HRs (20).
Turner is coming off an uncharacteristic 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s game against the Astros and is hitting just .231 (3-for-13) since the beginning of August. But we don’t expect the team captain to be quiet for long after putting together a healthy July (.326 average, 7 HRs, 21 RBI).
In the opener of the Freeway Series, we’ll take Turner (-280) to get back to his offensive ways and go over 0.5 hits.
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