The LA Dodgers (51-31) and the Kansas City Royals (38-43) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Dodgers vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Dodgers won 2-1 last year
The Dodgers have won 4 straight and are coming off a 3-game sweep at the Colorado Rockies. They wrapped up the set with a 3-1 victory Thursday, cashing as -268 favorites with the Under (12) easily hitting. LA has been favored by -235 or more in 5 straight games, going 4-1 over that stretch.
The Royals have lost 5 consecutive games and were most recently swept in 3 contests vs. the Tampa Bay Rays in Kansas City. They’ve been shut out in back-to-back games — losing 3-0 as +116 underdogs Wednesday and 4-0 as +108 underdogs Thursday. Not only has fading Kansas City been profitable lately, but the Royals are also on a 5-0 run to the Under — which is also 9-2 in their last 11 games.
Dodgers at Royals projected starters
RHP Dustin May vs. LHP Noah Cameron
May (4-5, 4.46 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 78 2/3 innings.
Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-3 home defeat as -271 favorite vs. Washington Nationals SaturdayHas never faced Royals
Cameron (2-3, 2.08 ERA) makes his ninth start. The rookie has a 0.97 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 through 47 2/3 innings.
Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 5-1 defeat at San Diego Padres SaturdayHas never faced Dodgers
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Dodgers at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:42 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Royals +135 (bet $100 to win $135)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (+105) | Royals +1.5 (-125)Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Dodgers at Royals picks and predictionsPrediction
Dodgers 5, Royals 2
The Dodgers (-160) will likely hand the Royals (+135) their sixth consecutive loss. However, with such a high straddle in this market, the preferred play is to bet LA to win by multiple runs.
PASS on the ML.
Each of LA’s last 4 games have resulted in Dodgers wins by 2 or more runs. Meanwhile, the Royals have lost 3 straight games by multiple runs. With the Dodgers’ No. 1-ranked offense (5.63 runs per game) facing a rookie starter, expecting the Royals to keep this one close is a tall order.
BET DODGERS -1.5 (+105).
The Under has hit in 5 straight Royals games and in each of the Dodgers’ last 2. With Kansas City averaging just 0.8 runs per game over its last 5 contests, betting the Over — especially when it’s set above the key number of 9 — is not recommended.
BET UNDER 9.5 (-105).
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