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The Los Angeles Dodgers (76-48) and Cleveland Guardians (60-66) are slated to close out their 3-game series Thursday. The action at Progressive Field will open with the 12:10 p.m. ET scheduled conclusion of Wednesday’s game which was suspended after 2 innings due to heavy rains. Game 3 of the series will begin after the conclusion of that suspended game.
Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Dodgers vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cleveland leads 1-0
Los Angeles lost 8-3 in Tuesday’s opener with the setback marking just the club’s 10th since July 5 (29-10). The Dodgers head into the resumption of the suspended game leading 3-1.
Cleveland is closing out a 6-game home stand with this contest. The Guardians are just 3-8 over their last 11 home games.
[won-loss records and information do no reflect Thursday’s 1st/suspended game]
Dodgers at Guardians projected starters
RHP Ryan Pepiot vs. RHP Gavin Williams
Pepiot is making his 2nd start this season and 11th MLB appearance. He has allowed 1 run over 5 IP. In his career, the 26-year-old is 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 6.1 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in 41 1/3 innings.
- His only other appearance this season was as a reliever: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K vs. Miami Marlins Saturday
- Expected be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make this start; he’s pitched just 22 2/3 IP in the minors this season (3.97 ERA at Triple-A)
- Missed the 1st few months of the season with an oblique injury
Williams (1-4, 3.02 ERA) makes his 12th career start. The 24-year-old rookie has a 1.21 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 59 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K in 4-2 home loss vs. Detroit Tigers Friday
- 2023 home stats: 1-2, 3.58 ERA in 37 2/3 IP in 7 starts
- Has never faced the Dodgers
- Has benefited from a .282 batting average on balls in play, a .171 BABIP in inning leadoff situations and a .226 BABIP with runners in scoring position
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Dodgers at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Dodgers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Guardians +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (+125) | Guardians +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Dodgers at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 6, Guardians 5
Moneyline
No lean toward either side: PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
No value to be gleaned here. PASS.
Over/Under
The Over cashed in Game 1 of this series, and the total has gone Over in 11 of L.A.’s last 13 road games.
The Guardians posted a .744 OPS across their last 20 games of the 1st half. They averaged 5.31 runs per game on the strength of an .802 OPS over the 1st 13 games after the break. Heading into this series, they had logged an anemic .555 OPS since.
We should expect a bit more offense from this Cleveland group in the near term — and we got it Tuesday.
Williams has some surface numbers depressed by some good fortune in a few key analytic measures. Pepiot figures to expose a fatigued Dodger bullpen.
A storm front was still moving through the Cleveland area through the morning. Its expected that a hot, humid afternoon will develop behind that front. Look for a couple extra runs in this possible war-of-bullpen attrition. TAKE THE OVER 9 (-110).
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