Giants vs Dodgers Betting MLB | L.A. Looks To Close Gap In NL West

mybookie App Download App

One of the best rivalries in baseball is renewed starting Monday night from Los Angeles as the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants. Even though the Giants lead the NL West comfortably, L.A. remains the betting favorite to win the World Series and is favored on the MLB odds here.

How to Bet Giants at Dodgers MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Monday, 10:10 PM ET
Where: Dodger Stadium
Probable pitchers (away/home): Anthony DeSclafani/Trevor Bauer
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/

Why Bet on San Francisco?

Starting shortstop Brandon Crawford was off Sunday but just for rest and will be back in there for this one. In 2019, Crawford ranked in the bottom quintile of qualified hitters in barrel rate; in ’21, he’s 11th overall in the majors, ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jesse Winker, among many others. Crawford has a new swing this year and is batting .253 with 16 homers and 50 RBIs.

San Francisco reached the 50-win mark in just its 76^th game, the second-quickest they’ve reached 50 wins in the SF-era behind the 1993 club, who did so in 74 games. Overall, it was tied for the ninth quickest a Giants club has reached 50 wins in club history since 1900 with the 1924 Giants.

For the first time since 1938, the Giants were the first team in the majors to reach 50 wins. In the Wild Card era (since 1995), three teams that were the first to 50 wins have gone on to win the World Series that season: the 1998 Yankees, 2005 White Sox and 2017 Astros.

The Giants have either won or split their last 10 series dating to May 25, tied for the longest streak in the Majors this year with the Yankees.

It’s Anthony DeSclafani (8-2) on the mound here. DeSclafani struck out nine over seven scoreless innings to help the Giants to a 5-0 victory over the Angels last Tuesday. DeSclafani allowed just three hits and a pair of walks. Two of those hits were doubles, but DeSclafani was able to strand Jared Walsh and Jose Iglesias to preserve the shutout and lower his ERA to 2.77.

He has posted career-bests in ERA and FIP and is on pace to accumulate nearly 4 WAR this year, and outside of a 10-run disaster against the Dodgers on May 23, he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his starts and just six total since then. His slider has always been his best weapon, and he’s throwing it more than a third of the time in 2021 — the second highest rate for that pitch in his career.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

Catcher Will Smith, infielder Max Muncy and outfielder AJ Pollock all got Sunday night’s game vs. the Cubs off but should be in there for this one. Muncy just got back from the injured list early last week. He is 4-for-17 with a homer and three RBIs since returning. Muncy leads the National League with 49 walks and a .414 on-base percentage. He’s vying to become just the eighth Dodger to lead the league in OBP since 1900.

Former NL Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP Corey Seager remains on track to return in early July. Manager Dave Roberts said that “everything is where it needs to be” in regards to Seager’s rehab. He has been out with a hand injury but could start a rehab assignment Monday. He was hitting .265 with 4 home runs and 22 RBIs in 37 games prior to the injury.

It’s reigning NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer (7-5) on the mound here. Bauer allowed three runs on five hits and four walks with ten strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision against the Padres last Wednesday. He allowed solo home runs to Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado in the first inning to give the Padres the early lead. He settled in for five more excellent innings while striking out ten batters on 18 whiffs. Bauer was at 95 pitches through six innings and would have been pinch-hit for if his spot came up to bat in the top of the seventh. Instead, he’d go out for one more inning and allowed a leadoff homer to Victor Caratini to put the Padres back on top. Bauer then walked Jurickson Profar before his day was done.

He’s now gone over 100 pitches in four straight starts and is sporting a career high 11.4 K/9, though a 3.67 FIP compared to a 2.57 ERA indicates some decline may be coming. Bauer pitched at the Giants on May 21 and allowed one unearned run and two hits over 6.1 innings in a victory. The only run against him came in the sixth inning with two men on base and two outs. Evan Longoria hit a ball back to him and he overthrew the first baseman, allowing the runner on second to score. Bauer struck out 11 batters and generated 16 whiffs — 11 on the fastball.