One of the best rivalries in baseball continues Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants in the second game of a three-game set.
After spending oodles of money in the offseason, the Dodgers possess the most-talented roster in either league. However, there’s often not a ton of value in betting big MLB favorites.
That means there will be opportunities to fade the Dodgers and Tuesday could be one of those spots.
The Dodgers are going with a bullpen game, facing a fierce rival that’ll be motivated to win in Los Angeles after dropping Game 1 on Monday, 8-3.
Giants vs. Dodgers odds
| Team | Runsline | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | +1.5 (-165) | +120 | o8.5 (+100) |
| Dodgers | -1.5 (+140) | -145 | u8.5 (-120) |
Giants vs. Dodgers analysis
If the Dodgers have a weakness, it’s their pitching. There is quality at the top of the rotation, but the team lacks depth and elite arms in the bullpen, which is exactly why we’re backing the Giants on Tuesday.
Ryan Yarbrough, who pitched in 11 games (two starts) for the Dodgers a season ago, will likely either start or throw multiple innings early.
Over 38 2/3 innings with the Dodgers last season, he posted a 4.52 ERA and a 4.39 xERA. He also pitched to a .268 XBA and is someone the Giants, especially the way they’re hitting to start the season (plating almost six runs per game), can score against.
Yarbrough is tough on lefties, but the Giants’ lineup has some pop from the right side, most notably off-season additions Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman.
The Giants scored 25 total runs in four games (6.25 runs per game) in San Diego to open the season – an encouraging sign for a team that pitched well but lacked offense a season ago.
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The Giants’ new additions are off to strong starts. Chapman has two homers and Jung Hoo Loo has six hits, three walks and four RBIs in his first 19 at-bats.
Of course, the Dodgers’ offense – especially Mookie Betts, who has 13 hits, 10 RBIs and four homers in his first seven games (25 ABs) – is also rolling.
Los Angeles has scored five or more runs in each of its seven games so far and has a lineup that can put up a crooked number at any time.
Giants vs. Dodgers pick
Logan Webb won’t likely toss a shutout Tuesday, but the Giants are seeing the ball well on offense and should be able to score against an exploitable Dodgers bullpen, giving us plus-money value in backing the road underdogs.
They’re 4-4 straight-up in their last eight games at Chavez Ravine.
I’d also bet the over; the Dodgers are 3-0-1 to the over in their last four games and the Giants have yet to go under this season.