San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Betting Preview
What a series this has the potential to be. After the Giants shocked the Dodgers with a Logan Webb masterpiece in Game 1, the Dodgers retaliated with a nine-run outburst in Game 2. As the series shifts over to Los Angeles, the pressure will be on San Francisco to keep pace with the Dodgers on their home field.
Let’s take a look at the game preview and MLB betting odds for this crucial Game 3 matchup.
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Betting Odds & Betting Lines
According to Bovada, the Dodgers are -1.5 point favorites, as their moneyline sits at -210. The moneyline for the Giants is +170.
Over at BetUs, LA has a -150 moneyline, and San Francisco is at +270.
The Trend Continues for the Giants
Playing the role of underdog is nothing new for this Giants squad. They came into the season expected to finish 3rd at best in the National League West. Despite a strong start to the season, most analysts predicted they would fall out of the race by the All-Star break.
After they proved they were a legitimate contender, the experts still proclaimed that the Dodgers would overtake them for the division, and the San Diego Padres would pass them for the first NL Wild Card Spot. But here we are in October, and the Giants finished the regular season as the best team in baseball, sending the Dodgers to the Wild Card and the Padres to their couches.
And yet, the betting odds continue to sleep on the Giants.
I get that this Dodgers team may be one of the best rosters ever constructed on paper. They were already terrific when they added MVP candidate Trea Turner and Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer. But it would be foolish to continue to bet against the Giants.
So how do they keep winning? For the Giants, they don’t have the same star power as Los Angeles. However, they have battle-tested experience in veterans such as Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford.
Kris Bryant was a very welcome addition at the trade deadline. The rotation is mainly a mixture of veteran talent that exceeded expectations this season, and the young right-hander Logan Webb has been vital to the success as well.
This is a team that does everything necessary on the diamond. They hit for power and average; they run the bases well, pitch at a high level, and play tremendous defense. If there is a team that is going to send the Dodgers home and defy the MLB odds in these 2021 playoffs, it is going to be the Giants.
Dodgers Last Call: All Right Handed Bats Aboard!
With the Giants sending lefty Alex Wood to the mound on Monday night, the Dodgers are going to rely on their right-handed bats to get the job done. This means that Cody Bellinger will be taking a seat in favor of Albert Pujols. Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock will join Mookie Betts as the starting outfielders as well.
Benching Bellinger takes away a terrific defender in center field, but the struggling former MVP has labored this entire season despite a strong performance in Game 2. However, expect Bellinger to have his name called the moment a right-handed reliever enters the game.
On the mound, LA will counter with Scherzer. The veteran ace had a decent yet inefficient outing in the Wild Card against the Cardinals. He lasted just 4.2 innings but limited St. Louis to 1 run on three hits while walking three and striking out four batters.
Scherzer will be tasked with facing an extremely deep lineup that led the NL in home runs this season.
X-Factors on Both Sides
One guy who is interesting is Mike Yastrzemski. The outfielder will likely be in the lineup with a righty on the hill and has a lot of power against right-handed pitching. Yastrzemski is a talented player who could play a major role in Game 3.
For the Dodgers, let’s take a look at Pujols.
Obviously, anybody in this star-studded lineup could produce in a huge way in any given moment. But Pujols has a lot of playoff experience and is destined for a good game against Wood. Expect Pujols to have at least 1 or 2 clutch hits in this one.
Against All Odds
If you want to put your money on the Dodgers, I completely understand. After all, Scherzer is a far bigger name than Alex Wood. But with this strong Giants bullpen, and their ability to limit runs with tremendous defensive play, I am taking the Giants to win Game 3 at -140.
I also expect this game to be decided in the late innings.
Taking the Giants with your MLB betting picks gives you an excellent chance to make some big-time cash as well, given their underdog status.
