Betting Matchup Preview
Game Details
- Who: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 21
- Time: 10:10 p.m. EDT
- Where: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Diamondbacks +260, Dodgers -320
- Runline: Diamondbacks +1.5 (+130), Dodgers -1.5 (-156)
- Total: Over/Under 8.5 Runs (-122/+100)
Note: Odds and lines are current at the time of writing and subject to change.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the type of MLB team like the 2022 Dodgers, who are steamrolling opponents even while comfortably in cruise control mode. The Dodgers have a playoff spot, a division title and home-field advantage locked up.
There’s little to play for other than pride and history. In a year where franchise legend Vin Scully went on to The Great Dodger in the Sky and former MLB MVP Maury Wills passed this week, why not focus on team history?
The Dodgers have 103 wins and are 56-17 since July 1. Yes, 56-17. Magic Johnson’s favorite team has won 13 of 17 and seems unstoppable as they approach the franchise record of 106 victories. This team also has a chance to set the franchise mark (Brooklyn or LA) for winning percentage in a full season, which is currently .682 by the 1953 team. How long ago was that? Eisenhower was president; I Love Lucy was the No. 1 TV show in the country, and the great Jackie Robinson was in uniform for the Dodgers.
What makes the Dodgers so successful is their apparent refusal to soak themselves in their accomplishments. Every day, every game and every season is a new challenge. Roberts and his staff are pushing the team to have a magical season, and it’s working.
Starting Pitchers
- Madison Bumgarner (6-15, 5.01 ERA, 107 Ks) vs. Dustin May (2-2, 3.46 ERA, 25 Ks)
Somehow, Madison Bumgarner has only faced the Dodgers once this season, back on May 27 in Phoenix. In that start, “MadBum” was battered for three home runs, with both Mookie Betts and Trea Turner going deep. The grumpy lefty allowed five earned runs in six innings in a loss.
Losing has been the keyword for Bumgarner since he donned the red snake logo of the Diamondbacks in 2020. The former World Series MVP is 14-29 with a sickly 5.05 ERA with Arizona. He’s not a fearsome menace any longer. If anything, LA batters must be licking their chops to face their former Giant nemesis.
Special note on strikeouts and Bumgarner prop bets: In his last eight starts, the lefty’s velocity has taken a steep dive. He’s also no longer spinning his pitches like he did in his prime years. Bumgarner has just 29 Ks in 48 ⅓ innings since July 29. Troubling indeed.
Want an early 2023 futures betting tip? Lay some money on Dustin May to win the NL Cy Young Award. The big ginger is going to win that honor eventually; his stuff is that electric. With varying arm angles and two pitches that approach 100 mph, he’s like a wet Great Dane in a bathtub: a handful.
May is under workload management, or pitch counts, however you want to look at it. The Dodgers are taking care of his golden right arm. He pitched five hitless innings in his last start. The expected batting average against his two main pitches (a sinking fastball and a four-seamer) is .168 for the season.
Sure, he’s not been stretched out much due to past injuries, but if May is as healthy as he appears, the Dodgers have a weapon that could carry them in the postseason.
Hot Hitters
Freddie Freeman had three more hits on Tuesday, and he had company on the hit parade: Justin Turner had four hits in the doubleheader. Turner has been tough since coming back from an injury: He’s hitting .357 with a 1.003 OPS since coming off the IL on August 9.
With the other Turner (Trea) and Freeman getting on base so much, the RBI opportunities for Justin “Captain Caveman” Turner are plentiful.
Daulton Varsho and Corbin Caroll each had two hits for the Snakes in the first game on Tuesday. Their performance at the top of the Arizona lineup is one reason fans should be hopeful for the Diamondbacks to regain venom in 2023. Both are good bets for multiple hits, with each hitting the ball with exit velocity exceeding 105 mph over the last two weeks.
Our Best Bet Today
- Freddie Freeman To Record 2+ Hits (+165 odds from FanDuel Sportsbook)
Our “best bet” paid off for a $140 winner (+140 on a $100 wager) on Tuesday. To see our best bet, bookmark Forbes Betting and get our daily picks for the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Braves each weekday.
Freeman seems to be making a case for MVP with a late push. The big first baseman is hitting a Ty Cobb-like .369 in September. He’s reached base 38 times in 18 games. With production like that, it’s nearly impossible for the LA lineup to go into a slump.
Our Same-Game Parlay
Our daily same-game parlay is also from FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Dustin May 6+ Strikeouts (+106)
- Trea Turner To Record a Run (-190)
- Justin Turner To Record an RBI (+105)
Basically, we’re banking on a typical day for the Dodgers: another superb outing by Dustin May at home; Trea Turner to get on base and make a few left-hand turns to score; and Justin Turner to do Justin Turner things. The Dodgers are averaging 5.7 runs per game in September. The Dodgers are 17-4 in their last 21 games at Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers have a 21-game lead in the NL West and are still pressing their cleats on the gas pedal. What does that mean? The Dodgers are very good. With the offense producing and with so many weapons, keep them in your daily MLB betting rotation. A $100 winning bet on this three-leg parlay would get you $531.
