The Dodgers look to remain perfect on the season when they open a three-game series with the Phillies in Philadelphia on Friday night.
Los Angeles is already rolling at 8-0 on the season, looking like they might be one of the great teams of all-time.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are 5-1 and should enjoy a raucous home crowd advantage this weekend.
Lefty Jesus Luzardo gets the call here for Philadelphia against Yoshinoba Yamamoto for Los Angeles.
How are we playing this game with our free baseball betting pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Friday’s baseball betting market opened in Los Angeles at around -135 over Philadelphia, with an O/U of 8. Early betting action shaved that line to -130.
The Dodgers could also be found giving the run and a half on the run line at +125.
Dodgers-Phillies Betting Preview
Los Angeles is 8-0 on the season after rallying to beat Atlanta Wednesday night 6-5. The Dodgers then had Thursday off to travel.
LA trailed the Braves 5-0 early Wednesday, scored two in the second inning, one in the third, and two in the eighth to tie it, then won it on – what else? – an Ohtani homer in the bottom of the ninth.
So the Dodgers are off to the best start ever by a defending World Series champion.
Los Angeles went off this season playing against a wins O/U of 104.5, which was by far the biggest number on that board. But even at 8-0 they’ve still gotta go 97-57 from here to reach that over.
The Dodgers opened this season a couple weeks ago by taking two games from the Cubs in Tokyo. They then came home and swept three games from Detroit, then three games from Atlanta.
Also, LA’s been favored for every game so far and they’ve covered against the run line six out of eight times.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia just swept three games at home from Colorado, winning Thursday’s series finale 3-1. The Phillies led that game 3-0 into the top of the ninth, let the Rockies load the bases with one out, but got out of it.
Philly pitching allowed a total of just three runs in that series.
The Phillies opened this season by taking two of three games at Washington.
After winning 95 games last season, Philadelphia is playing against a wins O/U of 90.5 this season.
Last year, the Phillies took the season series from five games to one in LA.
Friday’s Pitching Match-Up
Luzardo is making his second start of this season for his new team. Last Saturday, he held Washington to two runs and five hits through five innings, with two walks and 11 strikeouts, in an 11-6 Philadelphia victory.
Last year, pitching for Miami, Luzardo posted a 5.00 ERA through 67 total innings.
In his last start against the Dodgers, in 2023, Luzardo allowed two runs and four hits through six innings of a 6-3 Marlins win.
Meanwhile, Yamamoto is making his third start this season. First, he held the Cubs to one run and three hits through five innings of a 4-1 Los Angeles victory. Then, last Friday, he limited Detroit to two runs and five hits through five frames, with two walks against 10 whiffs, in an 8-5 Dodgers win.
So, after going 11-7 with Yamamoto last year, LA is 2-0 with him this year.
This will be Yamamoto’s first career start against Philadelphia.
Splits With the Sticks
Los Angeles is batting .198 against left-handed pitching this season, with a .263 team OBP and a .430 team slugging percentage. This line-up is also operating for the moment without 1B Freeman.
Philadelphia is slashing .328/.407/.588 against right-handed pitching.
The Bullpens
The Phillies bullpen has allowed seven runs and 21 hits through 19 innings this season, with eight walks against 28 strikeouts.
The Dodgers pen has allowed eight ER and 26 hits through 39 innings, with 10 walks and 54 whiffs.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles played 36-17 against left-handed starters last year.
Philadelphia played 61-43 against right-handed starters.
Totals Report
- The Over is 5-3 in Dodgers games this season.
- The Under is 4-2 in Phillies games.
