ESPN Sunday Night Baseball: Dodgers and Giants Renew Ancient Rivalry

 Forever joined at the hip are the arch rival Dodgers and Giants.  Both teams began within the metropolitan New York area in the late 1800’s.  Extending the relationship was their western move to California in 1958.  Such ties lend to Los Angeles and San Francisco’s historic baseball betting status.  Despite the fact that these rivals are currently at different levels of ability and public betting esteem.  Los Angeles is the odds on favorite to win the 2020 World Series.  San Francisco has been condemned as a last place rebuilding team.

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers

Date and Time:  Sunday, July 26, 2020, 10 p.m. ET
Location:  Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Giants vs. Dodgers Odds:  Check here
Giants vs. Dodgers TV Coverage:  ESPN

Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers MLB Odds Analysis

On the whole it’s no surprise that the Dodgers are going to be massive favorites with the MLB lines for this one.  Los Angeles is well established with the public as a team that has won seven consecutive National League West titles.  Furthermore, the Dodgers posted 106 wins last year which is fresh on the minds of gamblers.  By contrast the Giants are coming off three consecutive losing seasons.  And everyone is calling for more of the same in 2020.

Probable Starting Pitchers and Relievers

Left hander Drew Smyly is the Giants probable starter while left hander Julio Urias is scheduled for the Dodgers.

Drew Smyly will be making his first start as a Giant.  He arrives from the Phillies.  Last year with Texas and Philadelphia Smyly was 4-7 with a 6.24 earned run average.  His WHIP was 1.59.

The 2019 season was the first extended action that Julio Urias has seen for the Dodgers since 2016.  He was 4-3 with a 2.49 earned run average and a WHIP of 1.08.

Closer Kenley Jansen was off and on for 2019.  Jansen saved 33 games with a 5-3 record.  However, his 3.71 earned run average and WHIP of 1.06 are numbers too high for a closer.  Jansen was a National League All-Star from 2016 through 2018.  And was Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year in 2016 and 2017.  Last year was simply not in comparable form.

The Giants closer is undetermined.

Bellinger Powers the Dodger Express  

Tops in the National League for payroll combined with a long-term record of success make the Dodgers serious baseball betting chalk.  Leading the Los Angeles lineup is RF Cody Bellinger, 2019 National League Most Valuable Player.

Bellinger hit 47 home runs with 121 runs and 115 runs batted in for the 2019 campaign.  Considering that, along with the arrival of Mookie Betts from the Red Sox and you get Dodger hype that is over the top.

A Giant Rebuild Greets Kapler at San Francisco  

Controversial manager Gabe Kapler is making his MLB weekend debut with the Giants.  Kapler did not win over a lot of MLB gambling converts in his volatile two years as Phillies manager. Considering that and the Giants outmanned roster is the fact that Kapler is facing scrutiny and doubts.

Giants at Dodgers Betting Trends

The Giants are:

6-7 in their last 13 away games, 7-4 over the total on the road, 7-13 in their last 20 games vs. the Dodgers, 6-3 over the total vs. Los Angeles, 15-5 in their last 20 road games vs. the National League West, 4-9-1 under the total at National League West opponents

The Dodgers are: 

12-8 at in their last 20 home games, 7-5 over the total at Dodger Stadium, 10-4 in their last 14 games at Dodger Stadium vs. the National League West, 6-4 over the total at home vs. National League West opponents, 11-6 in their last 17 home games against the Giants, 6-3 over the total at Dodger Stadium vs. the Giants

Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Free Pick  

Best Bet:  Under the total and Los Angeles Dodger run line

ESPN Sunday Night Baseball gets a classic old rivalry but also a mismatch.  Of great concern to gamblers is the nearly five-month delay to start the season may give pitchers an early edge.  Thus, the under brings potential baseball betting value.  Problematic will be the Dodgers massive price.  Along with the underdog Giants probable inability to capitalize on that big number.  For those needing a side the Dodgers run line makes more financial sense.  San Francisco’s light hitting lineup adds to that theory.

Check out the latest MLB betting odds.