Dodgers vs Rangers

Dodgers vs Rangers – MLB Odds & Picks

Written by on August 28, 2020

Looks to be a major mismatch this weekend when the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers visit the sliding Texas Rangers. They open a three-game series on Friday with the Dodgers to be MLB betting favorites in their first-ever trip to Globe Life Park.

How to Bet Dodgers at Rangers MLB Odds & TV Info

  • When: Friday, 8:05 PM ET
  • Where: Globe Life Park
  • Probable pitchers (away/home): Dustin May/Mike Minor
  • TV: MLB Extra Innings
  • Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
  • Opening MLB Lines: TBA
Why Bet on LA Dodgers?

The Dodgers have recalled RHP Mitchell White from their alternate training site. Last season, he split the season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, going a combined 4-6 with a 5.09 ERA (53 ER/93.2 IP) and 105 strikeouts. White is filling the roster spot left vacant by starting pitcher Walker Buehler, who has landed on the injured list with a blister on his right hand. Buehler joins fellow starter Alex Wood and reliever Joe Kelly on the injured list.

All of Mookie Betts’ homers this season have been against right-handed pitchers and he is batting .349 against righties. He ranks among the Major League leaders in several categories against right-handed pitchers, including total bases (1st), slugging (1st, .802) and OPS (1st, 1.200).

Dodgers rookie Dustin May (1-1) allowed one run over five innings last Saturday in a no-decision against the Rockies. May recorded only one strikeout and issued a pair of walks. He surrendered only two hits, as a solo homer off the bat of Sam Hilliard in the third inning represented the lone run against him. May didn’t miss many bats and has just five strikeouts in 15.1 innings over his past three starts, which doesn’t concern manager Dave Roberts.

“There is something to his mix. The cutter promotes soft contact, the two-seamer is soft contact, and that’s what he goes to a lot,” Roberts explained. “I think with the shifting, putting the ball in play, an out is an out. Whether it’s by way of punch or soft grounder, we take outs. I think for him, just continue to get ahead of hitters and wipe them out. “

The 22-year-old May carries a sparkling 2.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 20/7 K/BB ratio across 29 innings (six starts) into this one. May has yet to allow more than two runs in an appearance this season.

Why Bet on Texas?

Texas third baseman Todd Frazier got off to a nice start this season but is 3-for-33 over his last nine games. Frazier should be very much available at the trade deadline, but he’s slumping at a bad time for the Rangers; he had a .918 OPS in 19 games before his current skid.

The Rangers have activated right-handed pitcher Nick Goody from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Ian Gibaut to the Alternate Training Site. Goody was on the 10-day Injured List from August 12-25 with back spasms. Goody has no record, one save, and a 4.50 ERA (2 ER/4.0 IP) over 7 relief appearances with Texas this season. He has also stranded all 9 inherited runners in 2020. Goody recorded his first career save on July 29 vs. Arizona.

The Rangers’ Mike Minor fell to 0-5 on the season last Sunday after yielding four earned runs over six innings against the Mariners. All four of the runs against Minor came on homers by Kyle Lewis, Austin Nola and Sam Haggerty. It’s the second start in a row in which Minor has allowed multiple hits to leave the yard. He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 29.1 innings this season. His fastball is down, going from 92.5 mph in 2019 to 90.5 mph in 2020. Additionally, he has struggled with the long ball, giving up seven home runs.

Minor took the league by storm in the first half of last season, posting a 2.54 ERA in 18 starts, including two complete-games and one shutout, en route to his first All-Star appearance. It may have been wishful thinking that Minor would retain his All-Star form this year, but with an elite fastball spin rate and an xERA of 4.78, there may be better days ahead.

Minor is 0-2 with 4.97 ERA in three starts at home so far. This his first start vs. the Dodgers since Aug. 29, 2018, when he allowed two runs in six innings. He is 1-3 with a 2.62 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) vs. L.A.

Expert Prediction Dodgers 7, Rangers 2  

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