Following the 8-3 Game 1 win on Tuesday night by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the World Series moves on to Game 2 Wednesday. The Tampa Bay Rays will look to even the series behind Blake Snell while Los Angeles will counter with Tony Gonsolin.
The Dodgers are the favorites when looking at the MLB betting odds at BetUS. While not as high as they were for Game 1, they are still listed at -140. The total for Game 2 is at 8.
Betts Leading the Charge
There is a reason the Los Angeles Dodgers broke the bank to get Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, making plenty of MLB news. He will be a staple in their lineup for all of the next decade, and maybe more.
The slugger, who leads off for the Dodgers, was outstanding with two hits, a walk, and two stolen bases. Betts also hit a home run in the game.
Cody Bellinger got the party started in Game 1 with a two-run blast in the fourth. He finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs batted in. Max Muncy also drove in two in the game, as the Dodgers pounded out 10 hits.
Tony Gonsolin will get the start in Game 2. The 26-year-old from Vacaville, Calif., has been roughed up all postseason. In his last outing, he allowed two hits and two runs in just two innings. Gonsolin has allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings,
Snell Needed for a Gem
The Tampa Bay Rays are going to need Snell, and need him in a bad way. Snell, 27, has been up and down in the postseason.
His last outing against the Astros was not great. He lasted just four innings and allowed two runs. The Rays did not get a lot out of their Game 1 starter Tyler Glasnow, who retired 13 batters. The bullpen has been used a bunch by Kevin Cash throughout the postseason.
The Rays picked up just six hits in the Game 1 loss. Kevin Kiermaier was the top threat for Tampa Bay with two hits and two runs driven in.
Of course, all eyes are on Randy Arozarena, who won the American League Championship Series MVP. The 25-year-old from Cuba went hitless in Game 1 but did draw a walk.
Tampa Bay would like to get Brandon Lowe going offensively. His postseason has been one to forget so far, with just six hits in 56 at-bats. Lowe has one home run, which came in the Game 5 loss to the Astros.
Betting Pick
Sometimes, when looking for a winner, riding the hot hand seems to be the way to go. The Dodgers are red hot.
Los Angeles has won four straight games and is showing why it was the elite team during the regular season. Sure, Tampa Bay is playing good baseball, as it is four wins away from being champions, but not as hot as Los Angeles.
In fact, the Rays have actually dropped four out of their last five. The Dodgers have speed, and power in the lineup, with solid pitching to hold the opponents down. Tampa Bay is going to need to find a little more clutch hitting if it wants a chance at this series.
In making our MLB picks, we know the Dodgers are going to win Game 2. So Los Angeles at -140 seems like a steal. Do not be afraid to bet the Dodgers -1.5 and get them at +150 doing so.
Also, an over/under of eight seems like a pretty good number, as this seems like a 5-3- or 6-2-type affair. Bet the Dodgers on Wednesday!