San Francisco Giants at LA Dodgers Free Pick & Betting Lines

The biggest series of the week in the National League is from Los Angeles as the Dodgers can put hammerlock on the NL West Division by winning the series in MLB betting against the rival and second-place Giants. Los Angeles enters the week with a five-game lead over San Francisco, which is also battling for a wild-card spot.

Take a Closer Look at the San Francisco Giants at LA Dodgers Free Pick, Betting Lines & TV Info

RECAP: #SFGiants split series vs. Cardinals, continue to fight for #postseason berth. https://t.co/erfKDinYO7 pic.twitter.com/BMWrvqTOWB

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 18, 2016

When: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 10 p.m. ET Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Probable pitchers (away/home): Johnny Cueto/Rich Hill TV: ESPN2 Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Los Angeles / San Francisco Opening MLB Lines: TBA

Why Bet On San Francisco?

The Giants had the best record in baseball at the All-Star break but the worst since it. They split four games over the weekend with St. Louis, which is also in the wild-card mix. With the Giants in desperate need of bullpen help, manager Bruce Bochy said right-hander Derek Law will be a ninth-inning option in a reshuffling plan going forward. Giants relievers have blown seven of 11 save opportunities this month.  Law has an 0.39 ERA in 26 outings since July 4. Since Aug. 13, Giants relievers own a 6.19 ERA in the ninth inning or later, compared to a 1.45 ERA in all other innings during this stretch. The Giants have lost eight games this season in which they led at the end of 8.0 innings, which is more than they lost in the previous two seasons combined (seven such losses over 2014-2015). That total of eight losses when leading at the end of 8.0 innings is tied for the Giants’ highest total in a single season; they also had eight losses of that kind in 1945 and 1999. The Giants are hitting .227 (118-for- 519) with runners in scoring position in the second-half. SF has been held to three hits or fewer with runners in scoring position in 45 of 57 games since the break. The Giants’ .227 clip with RISP this half ranks as the fourth-lowest in the majors. They start the Cy Young candidate Cueto in this one. Cueto (16-5, 2.86) gave up two runs on five hits and a walk in a complete-game win over the Cardinals on Thursday. He struck out seven. Cueto’s fifth complete game of the year tied him with Chris Sale for the MLB lead, and he allowed two or fewer runs for the fifth time in six starts. Cueto’s 14-14 record and 3.93 ERA in September-October are his worst figures for any month.

Why Bet On Los Angeles?

The Dodgers split four games in Arizona over the weekend, losing the finale 10-9 in 12 innings. Howie Kendrick broke a 7-all tie in the eighth with a two-out, two-run double, but Chris Owings hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth to make it 9-9. Manager Dave Roberts said pitcher Scott Kazmir developed a blister while throwing a simulated game Sunday. He’s been on the disabled list with a neck problem since Aug. 23. Pitcher Alex Wood, normally a starter, will be activated from the 60-day disabled list on Monday, and Roberts’ plan is to use him out of the bullpen for now. L.A. starts the Rich Hill here. Hill (12-4, 2.06) took his first loss as a Dodger on Thursday, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out eight in Arizona. All but one of the runners he put on base came all the way around, so Hill had some tough luck after leaving his prior start with a blister issue. He hadn’t given up a single run in his first three starts with Los Angeles. Hill's first start with the Dodgers as six shutout innings vs. the Giants on Aug. 24.

My Free Prediction

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles. Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Giants are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles. Dodgers will be small favorites and I like them in MLB betting as well as under what will be a small total.