The Los Angeles Dodgers (24-9) seek their third straight win as they open a three-game series against the Texas Rangers (11-19). First pitch of Game 1 is set for 8:05 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field. We analyze the Dodgers-Rangers betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Dodgers at Rangers: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Dustin May vs. LHP Mike Minor
May has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any of his six starts, and he carries a 2.79 ERA into this start.
- His electric stuff hasn’t been translating to high strikeout totals. His K% is down to 16.7% in 2020 after sitting at 22.7% last year, and he has just five strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings in his last three starts.
- May owns a 4.09 ERA and 8.2 K/9 in 33 career innings on the road. By comparison, he has a 2.35 ERA at Dodger Stadium, albeit with a low 6.5 K/9.
Minor has allowed four earned runs or more in four of his last five starts and comes into the game with an ugly 6.75 ERA on the season.
- His fastball velocity is down more than 2 mph from where it has sat the past two seasons. He’s getting fewer swinging strikes than he did in 2019, and his K% has dipped slightly, from 23.2% to 22.3%.
- Minor is sporting a 4.97 ERA in three home starts this season, with an 11.4 K/9. However, he has logged a total of just 12 2/3 innings in those starts.
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Dodgers at Rangers: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Dodgers
- RP Joe Kelly (shoulder) out
- 1B Edwin Rios (hamstring) doubtful
Rangers
- SS Elvis Andrus (back) out
- 2B Rougned Odor (eye) questionable
- OF Willie Calhoun (hamstring) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Dodgers at Rangers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:55 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Dodgers 8, Rangers 4
Moneyline (ML)
- Dodgers (-223)
- Rangers (+195)
The price is steep, but the Dodgers own the clear pitching edge — and an even bigger edge on the offensive side. They are tops in the league in runs per game at 5.70, while the Rangers are dead-last at 3.60.
Given how Minor fell apart late in 2019 and hasn’t been pitching well this year, either, it would be pretty surprising if the Rangers came out on top. Side with the DODGERS (-223).
New to sports betting? A winning $22.30 bet on the Dodgers would return a profit of $10.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
- Dodgers -2.5 (+105)
- Rangers +2.5 (-129)
Taking the Dodgers to win by three runs or more pays out basically even odds. It may be best to PASS on this run line, or to bump it up one more run for better odds at -3.5 (+150).
Over/Under (O/U)
- Over 9 (-110)
- Under 9 (-110)
The Dodgers offense should be primed for a big day against Minor, whose struggles from the second half of 2019 have carried over into 2020. The Dodgers are fully capable of hitting this number without any help from their counterparts
The Rangers should chip in a few runs as well, as May hasn’t exactly been dominant, despite the shiny ERA. Take the OVER 9 (-110) to hit in this Friday night battle in Arlington.
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