Baltimore (76-56) at LA Dodgers (78-53)
When: Tuesday, August 27th 2024
Where: Dodger Stadium,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:10 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -210/8.5
We have a possible World Series preview tonight from Dodger Stadium, as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Baltimore Orioles to begin a three-game series. L.A. is still the favorite out of the National League with odds of +170 to make the Fall Classic. The Orioles are two games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East and trail them in the pennant odds at +330. If you think these two teams will meet again in late October, you can get +1000 on the exact series odds. Cole Irvin will face Jack Flaherty in Tuesday’s opener, with the Dodgers a -200 favorite and a total pegged at 8.5.
Baltimore is coming off a grueling four-game split with the Houston Astros over the weekend and have not won a series since the beginning of August when they won two of three against Tampa Bay. The O’s are just 4-6 in their last 10 games and are hitting .201 as a team. L.A. has won seven of 10 and six of seven after taking a weekend series at home over the Rays. The Dodgers took two of three at Baltimore the last time these two met last July.
Pitching Matchup
Orioles – Cole Irvin (6-5, 4.82)
Dodgers – Jack Flaherty (3-0, 3.22)
Irvin went out of the starting rotation at the beginning of July and the bullpen didn’t cure his problems. Irvin was shelled and sent back to the minors for the most of August. His one start in the month came on the 21st when Irvin allowed two runs in 4.1 innings. On the road this season, Irvin has a 4.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP and he’s even worse in night games with a 5.44 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Irvin gets the start due to the starting rotation injuries for the Orioles.
Flaherty has looked good for the Dodgers since being traded at the deadline. Over four starts, Flaherty has a 3.22 ERA and allowed two (one earned) runs over 5.2 innings while striking out five batters last week against Seattle. He has allowed three runs or less in six of his last seven starts and will be seeing Baltimore for the first time in his career.
The Orioles are scuffling a bit, while the Dodgers are starting to play some good ball. Flaherty has a huge pitching advantage in this one, as Irvin has been awful this season. The O’s are a good hitting team, but not lately and are hitting just .197 vs. righties over their last 10 games. I’ll take L.A. in the opener.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Dodgers -1.5 -102
