All the talk leading up to the 2021 MLB betting season had only to do with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres duking it out for divisional bragging rights. But with six weeks in the books, it’s the San Francisco Giants that currently sit atop the standings with a slim lead over the latter. Even so, online sportsbooks don’t look to be buying in evidenced by LA still the decided -330 favorite to win the NL West a ninth straight time followed by the Friars who offer up just over a 2-1 return on investment; the Giants come in at a disrespected 15-1! San Francisco had all kinds of issues with the Dodgers a season ago dropping six of the 10 overall meetings, but will get a chance to improve upon that mark when Logan Webb squares off against Walker Buehler in the middle game of this weekend’s pivotal three-game set.
First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 7:15 p.m. ET from Oracle Park. The matchup will air live on FOX. Bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
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Odds Analysis
The Dodgers started strong winning 13 of 15 games. They then went on to drop 15 of 20 before winning six of seven to inch closer to the top of the NL West standings. Having just taken the first two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, LA stands 24-18 overall and down nearly $500 for its wagering supporters. Most of the deficit has been accrued on the road where it’s managed 10 wins through 22 tries (-$608) and hasn’t won a road series since taking two of three from the Padres in mid-April. Excellent starting pitching and the best overall defense has earned the Giants the honor of being the best money team in the Bigs. Now 10 games over .500 after guaranteeing at least a split in Cincinnati, San Fran has put just over $900 worth of baseball betting profit in its supporter’s pockets. It also owns the best home record in the game logging 14 wins through 18 tries equating to a $743 return on investment.
Probable Pitchers
Walker Buehler: The righty enters start his ninth start 2-0 with a 2.98 ERA and miniscule 0.88 WHIP. Allowing just 6.7 hits and 1.4 HR/9 innings, Buehler certainly looks to be rounding into form having tossed quality efforts in two of his last three starts. Last time out, he tossed seven innings of shutout ball at the D’backs while racking up 7 K. He did however issue four free passes but didn’t allow any to bloat his stat line after conceding a lone hit. Los Angeles has won five of his previous eight starts and all but one of his three on the road. Buehler has thrived against the Giants throughout his career in going 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 37:12 K/BB ratio over 30 innings.
Logan Webb: Webb has been a surprising standout in a Giants starting rotation that boasts a collective 2.64 ERA that’s led to a No. 2 ranking in the quality start department. The righty most recently evened his record up at 3-3 in Cincinnati where he tossed six innings of shutout baseball at the Reds. He seems to be locked in but take note he was bothered by shoulder soreness throughout the outing. Webb currently owns a 47:17 K/BB ratio and is allowing 0.8 HR while averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He has however gotten the benefit of running up against a number of hit or miss offenses in the Rangers, Mariners, Rockies and Marlins. LA will be a stiff test! He’s 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.46 WHIP lifetime against the Dodgers.
Dodgers vs. Giants Prediction
It’s crazy that the season is now 6+ weeks old and this weekend’s series represents the first time these teams will have squared off against one another. As great a story the Giants have been to date, I’m not so sure they have it in them to tame LA with one of its staff aces on the starting bump. Buehler has had a few hiccups on the young season, but he looks to be firing on all cylinders right now. Webb likely won’t have the ability to match him. Should that turn out to be the case, I have even less faith in the Giants No. 22 ranked bullpen keeping Mookie Betts and company in check. Buehler has owned San Francisco throughout his career, and I’m expecting another dominant effort in this spot. Lay the road chalk and hit the alternate run-lines as I think LA hangs a crooked number to run away in this one!
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