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Giants vs Dodgers Strong Pick to Go Over Total, Sept. 22

· Sep 22 - 4 minutes read

The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are matching up twice in their final three series, which could make things interesting for MLB betting lines down the stretch. In the opening game of this four-game set, the Dodgers took quick control, winning 7-2.

The Dodgers have clinched their spot in the playoffs, likely as the second seed. However, they are 3½ games behind the Atlanta Braves in the race for the No. 1 seed. On the other hand, the chances of the Giants making the playoffs are slim, sitting three games back from a Wild Card spot.

Giants vs Dodgers Strong Pick to Go Over Total, Sept. 22

Starting Pitchers

Sean Manaea (6-6, 4.82 ERA) vs Caleb Ferguson (7-3, 2.56)

Sean Manaea has spent most of this season coming out of the bullpen for the Giants, with only eight starts in 35 appearances. Due to injuries in the rotation, he has been thrust back into starting, doing so in his last two outings. They haven’t been anything special, pitching 11 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) while striking out eight. However, for MLB betting it is worth noting that in 3.2 innings against the Dodgers, Manaea has allowed four runs.

To save the starting rotation arms for the playoffs, the Dodgers have gone with a bullpen day. Caleb Ferguson will be the opener for this game, having five starts this season but never going past an inning during any appearance. He will be a setup man for one of the young starting pitchers on the Dodgers roster.

Playoff Hopes Grim

The chances of the Giants making the playoffs are starting to look grimmer and grimmer. For one, heading into this series, MLB odds were not on San Francisco’s side to make the playoffs, especially after its last series.

When facing the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team in the NL West that is in a Wild Card spot, the Giants got swept in a two-game series. Their top two pitchers started and the lineups did not do much, either.

The Giants will have to face the team with the second-best record in the NL in six of their final nine games to close the season, only making matters worse.

Dodgers Focused On Playoffs

While the Dodgers do not control their destiny, they have a good future. They are slated to have the second-best record in the NL, leading to a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

With Los Angeles’ position pretty secure, it can try to chase after the No. 1 seed or rest players for the playoffs. Given that the Dodgers‘ pitching staff has dealt with injuries all season, they might lean toward resting their top arms, which could shift some MLB spreads for the rest of the regular season.

J.D. Martinez strikes again with his 30th homer of the season. pic.twitter.com/uhwdOGXiau

— MLB (@MLB) September 22, 2023

However, the Dodgers’ lineup will have to get hot going into the playoffs. They have some of the top bats in the league, with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman still in the race for NL MVP honors. J.D. Martinez has been the star bat recently, with four homers and 11 runs batted in over the last seven days. He also had a homer and three RBIs during the first game of this series.

Giants vs Dodgers Best Bets

Given that the Dodgers have succeeded against Manaea and will have a bullpen day, MLB totals on Sept. 22 could be a solid bet. The Dodgers’ lineup alone might come close to hitting the over, but the Giants will get some chances against a bullpen day and a potentially young pitcher.