MLB action is returning to baseball stadiums all across the United States as we adjust to the novel requirements of sporting events taking place in our new world. No fans are allowed to be in attendance, but on Opening Day the seats of Dodger Stadium were filled with animated cardboard cutouts. I guess that it would be safe to say that “on paper,” the Dodgers have the best fan base so far in 2020.
You can get in the spirit as well, by betting on a few attractive picks. If you’re new to sports betting, check out our sportsbook. We have all your MLB betting odds for the shortened 60-game baseball season. The Dodgers hosting the Giants at Dodger Stadium is a great place to get started.
Dodgers World Series Or Bust, Giants’ Dynasty Dead
Even though Dodgers star SP David Price has opted out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns, Los Angeles is still favored to win the World Series this year (+450, tied with the N.Y. Yankees). L.A. has been within a hair’s breadth of celebrating a World Series championship in a champagne drenched locker-room for a few years now. They lost in 2017 in Game 7 vs the Houston Astros; got smashed in 2018 four games to one by the Boston Red Sox (it took L.A. 18 innings to win the one game they DID win); and lost a tight 2019 NLDS to the eventual champs, the Washington Nationals.
It’s been a long time since Kirk Gibson’s limping heroics and Orel Hershiser’s absolute dominance in 1988. The Dodgers are ready to be MLB champions again, and they have the talent to do it. Signing RF Mookie Betts through 2032 may help to keep Los Angeles relevant for a long time coming.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ dynasty team from 2010-2014 is dead as Dillinger. Legendary manager Bruce Bochy retired at the end of last season, former NL MVP Buster Posey has opted out of the 2020 season, and SP Madison Bumgarner went to the Arizona desert to play ball. Hey, at least they have the Dominican sensation, SS Marco Luciano, to look forward to. Right? Brighter days are ahead for San Francisco, but way ahead.
Dodgers Dominate Giants Despite Kershaw’s Late Scratch
Dodgers ace SP Clayton Kershaw was a late scratch due to tightness in his back, so SP Dustin May got called up to take his place on the mound for Opening Day. May scattered seven hits and gave up one run over 4.1 innings, but didn’t factor into the decision.
Amidst a sea of dismayed cardboard cutout fans, the Giants scored first on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by third baseman Pablo Sandoval in the third inning. Sandoval is filling in for 1B Brandon Belt, who’s out with a sore right heel. The Giants are also missing 3B Evan Longoria due to an oblique strain. This run was the only one S.F. would score on L.A.
Dodgers 2B Kiké Hernández tied the game in the fourth inning with a blooper that scored SS Corey Seager from second base. Hernández went 4-5 with five RBIs and two runs scored. L.A. took the lead in the seventh inning on RF Mookie Betts’ first run scored in a Dodger uniform, and they never looked back, winning 8-1.
Giants vs Dodgers Rivalry
This storied rivalry started all the way back in 1884 when neither team represented California. The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants played in an exhibition game on April 18th of that year and they’ve been battling each other ever since. The all-time series is said to be 1,256-1,234, Giants in front (with 17 ties peppered in there, too). More recently though, in 2019, the Dodgers controlled the season series 12-7, including winning the last five in a row.
Tonight’s game will make it six in a row for Los Angeles. The Giants have named Tyler Anderson their starter for the game, and he has yet to enjoy a winning season in his four seasons in the big leagues. He’ll get lit up by a lethal Dodgers lineup. 2018 All-Star SP Ross Stripling takes David Price’s spot in the rotation and should keep the lowly Giants hitters in check.
BetUS Free MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-170) Run Line
