Dodgers vs Tigers Odds & Prediction
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1.5 +130 | 9 -105o / -115u | -130 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1.5 -155 | 9 -105o / -115u | +110 |
Somehow, after tallying just three hits in the first eight innings on Friday, the Dodgers snuck out a win over the Tigers in miraculous fashion on Friday.
With a pair of rookies hitting the mound (Justin Wrobleski for the Dodgers and Keider Montero for the Tigers), will we see a similarly entertaining game on Saturday at Comerica Park? Well, I see a terrific betting value play either way.
Here's my Dodgers vs Tigers prediction on the final Saturday before the All-Star break.
Los Angeles Dodgers
After getting flat out embarrassed in Philadelphia, the Dodgers hope to aim their frustrations on the Tigers. Injuries have certainly caught up to the World Series favorite Dodgers, most notably to Mookie Betts, and Max Muncy. Adding to the growing list of injuries is Tyler Glasnow, joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler as injured starters.
That’s why Justin Wrobleski earned another start, despite struggling in his debut — allowing four runs in five innings against the Brewers He ranks outside of the Dodgers top-ten prospects list and made just two starts above double-A, so he’s not very experienced. Wrobleski made a rapid rise through the Dodgers farm system this year, appearing in just two triple-A games before getting the call from the big club. He'll average around 94 mph on his fastball, so he isn't a soft-tosser that's in to fill innings. They likely want to see if he can be an actual piece of the future plans — or use this stretch as a showcase for potential trade partners.
So how can the Dodgers get back on track?
It starts and ends with the bottom of the order hitting. The top of the Dodgers order — Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernandez each share two notable similarities. Each made the All-Star team and own wRC+s above 133 in July. The Dodgers can always count on strong ABs from their All-Stars, it just comes down to Chris Taylor, Miguel Vargas, Miguel Rojas & Co. getting timely base hits.
Amidst the struggles, the Dodgers plate presence hasn't wavered, ranking second in MLB with an 11% walk rate since July 1st.
The top four hitters in the lineup form the best top of the order in baseball. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Teoscar Hernandez all made the All-Star team and each own wRC+s above 133 since July 1st. Plus, any one of them could lift the Dodgers to a victory on any night.
The ninth inning of Friday’s game can indicate what happens if the bottom the order hits. Taylor got a hit, then Austin Barnes brought him to third and Shohei Ohtani clobbered a double for the lead. More of that would prove beneficial for the Dodgers today.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers showed some promise with their mid-week series win over the division leading Guardians in Detroit. It was a huge bright spot for a team with many ebbs-and-flows. Winning a series over the Dodgers is what could hold the Tigers front office from selling at the deadline, which seems like a strong lean at this point.
The stars will lineup against another rookie hurler — Tigers right-hander, Keider Montero. The righty flummoxed the Guardians bats in his last start, allowing no runs in 6.1 innings with four strikeouts and three hits. That’s not bad against the AL Central leaders.
Montero struggled in 13 starts with triple-A Toledo, posting a mediocre 5.04 ERA in 48 innings. He faced issues with hits and walks — issuing 30 free passes and 52 base knocks.
In contrast, Montero walked just three batters in 19 MLB innings. That could hint at potential regression waiting for Montero in future outings, particularly facing the Dodgers' foursome.
The Tigers' bats have gone quiet for the majority of the year. They enter play at 45-50 for a reason, and offense inconsistency is an ongoing issue for Detroit.
Detroit ranks 24th in wRC+, but it's even worse against southpaws, notching an 86 wRC+, good for 26th in MLB. Andy Ibanez is the lone source of consistency against lefties, batting .394 with an OPS over 1.000 in 78 PA’s. It would behoove All-Star Riley Greene or wily veteran Mark Canha to provide some timely hitting against the Dodgers' rookie hurler.
Dodgers vs. Tigers
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Dodgers' value is too low right now. I'll look to buy until the market gets closer to reality. Did anyone think the Dodgers would only enter any game against the inconsistent Tigers as -130 favorites in a non-Skubal or Flaherty start? I didn't foresee the market trend heading that lowly on the World Series favorites. While the Dodgers struggled in the past 10 days that shouldn't put them as a slight favorites over the Tigers.
Yes, I faded them yesterday, but it was more backing Skubal than fading the Dodgers, but fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you. The Dodgers likely will test Montero's strike-throwing ability, and pounce on pitches in their second or third ABs.
