The LA Dodgers (52-31) visit the Kansas City Royals (38-44) Saturday for the second game of their 3-game series. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is at 4:10 p.m. ET. 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: Dodgers lead 1-0

The Dodgers beat the Royals 5-4 in the opener Friday. DH Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run of the season, his eighth leadoff homer of the year. He scored the go-ahead run on OF Mookie Betts’ RBI single in the fifth inning after tripling home OF Kike Hernandez. 3B Max Muncy hit a 2-run homer in the second inning, his 13th of the year. The bullpen pitched 5 innings of scoreless relief, with RP Tanner Scott picking up his 18th save of the year. It was the Dodgers’ fifth straight win. They are 11-2 in their last 13 games.

Friday was the Royals’ sixth straight loss. SP Noah Cameron allowed all 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings. SS Bobby Witt Jr. hit his 11th homer of the year in the second inning, a 2-run shot that gave the Royals a 4-3 lead. OF Kyle Isbel hit a pair of doubles, scored and drove in a run.

Dodgers at Royals projected starters

RHP Shohei Ohtani vs. RHP Seth Lugo

Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third start. He’s allowed 2 hits, no walks and struck out 2 through 2 innings.

Is making just his third pitching appearance since having elbow surgery in 2023Has pitched just 1 inning in each appearanceLast start: No-decision, 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 13-7 home victory over Washington Nationals SundayCareer vs. Royals: 2-0, 0.47 ERA (19 IP, 1 ER), 0.74 WHIP, 8 H, 6 BB, 28 K in 3 starts

Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 83 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 3-2 road setback to San Diego Padres SundayRoyals are 1-5 in Lugo’s last 6 starts2025 home splits: 2-3, 2.72 ERA (36 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 0.93 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 6 startsCareer vs. Dodgers: 3-2, 5.54 ERA (26 IP, 16 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 in 3 starts and 10 relief appearances

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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 10:46 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Dodgers -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Royals +140 (bet $100 to win $140)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers -1.5 (-105) | Royals +1.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)Dodgers at Royals picks and predictionsPrediction

Dodgers 5, Royals 3

The Dodgers are red hot and the Royals are struggling. The Royals have scored 8 total runs in their 6-game skid, half of those in Friday’s loss. They have scored more than 4 runs just 3 times in their last 16 games. The Dodgers have scored at least 5 runs in 9 of their last 13.

With Ohtani getting the start, expect RP Ben Casparius to get extensive work. He went 3 2/3 and 5 innings in both of Ohtani’s games on the mound and picked up the win in both.

As noted, the Royals are 1-5 in Lugo’s last 6 starts.

Expect the Dodgers to pick up a victory, but you get better value on the run line.

PASS.

Seven of the Dodgers’ 11 wins in their last 13 games have been by 2 or more runs. They are 16-10 straight up as away favorites but 11-15 ATS in those games.

Ten of the Royals’ last 14 losses have been by at least 2 runs. They are 8-6 ATS as home underdogs.

The Dodgers have won both of Ohtani’s starts by at least 2 runs.

BET DODGERS -1.5 (-105).

The Royals have had 11 of their last 12 games not surpass 9 total runs. Ten of Lugo’s 14 starts have not reached double-digit runs.

Nine of the Dodgers’ last 15 games have not surpassed 9 total runs.

BET UNDER 9 (-120).

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