Dodgers at Giants Game 5 Betting Preview: Prepare for the Most Exciting Game 5 of All-Time
The battle of baseball’s best teams is going to be decided by the bay on Thursday Night. This is arguably the most important and exciting Division Series game of all time, and the Dodgers have gone back and forth all season long, and their fates lie in the hands of two young starting pitchers.
Let’s take a look at the game preview and MLB betting odds for this win-or-go-home Game 5 matchup.
Betting Odds & Betting Lines
According to Bovada, the moneyline is equal at -110. However, the Giants are the spread pick at -1.5.
Over at BetUs, The moneyline for the Dodgers sits at -102, and the Giants is at -108.
The fact is, even the oddsmakers are not sure who to favor.
Dodgers Preview: Pound the Strike Zone
Base Runners lead to rallies. Every baseball fan knows that. So for starting pitcher Julio Urias and any other relief pitcher who enters the game, pounding the strike zone is going to be of the utmost importance.
The moment you start walking hitters, the Giants are going to take advantage. They excel at advancing base runners and finding ways to score runs. Make them earn their base hits.
Urias has already been written into the Dodger’s history books after he recorded the final out of the 2020 World Series, but this is different. That game had limited fans, and Urias had the whole game to prepare for his outing as he entered in relief. This time he is on the bump to start the game, and there are going to be over 50,000 fans waving orange towels in any direction he looks.
It is going to be interesting to see how the 25-year-old left hander handles the pressure. Will he be able to tune out the rowdy Giants crowd and consistently pound the strike zone while executing his pitches?
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Giants Preview: Don’t Forget About the Old Guys
I get that Logan Webb is going to be the talking point in this one. The kid was excellent in Game 1left-hander and showed poise beyond his years in his first-ever postseason appearance. However, the Dodgers hitters are excellent at making adjustments, and they will be prepared to face the 24-year old for a second time.
So that is where the playoff experience of San Francisco’s veterans becomes extremely valuable. Between Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Evan Longoria, and Kris Bryant, there is a combined total of 16 years of playoff experience, and that is not even including 2021.
These are guys who are going to stay calm and not let the moment get to them. So how does the veteran experience relate to the youngster on the mound?
Buster Posey happens to be one of the best catchers in baseball. If Webb finds himself in trouble, Posey is excellent at calming pitchers down. One or two mound visits from Buster could change the entire dynamic of this game.
Webb also will be able to feel confident as he toes the rubber knowing that he has a top-tier defense playing behind him.
From an offensive standpoint, expect these older players to work counts and not be overly aggressive, especially against a young pitcher like Julio Urias.
The Game Within the Game
These teams are prepared to leave it all on the line on Thursday Night. Expect the managers to play a big role in this game. Both bullpens will be rested, which is going to lead to difficult at-bats for hitters on both sides.
Despite the prior success of Webb and Urias, both pitchers are going to have short leashes in this one. However, Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts will need to pull the right strings when it comes to bullpen management. One bad decision could cost them their season.
Who Might be the Hero?
Every October, somebody steps up and becomes a part of baseball folklore. Who might that be in Game 5?
For the Dodgers, Will Smith is not afraid of the huge moment.
He has displayed the ability to come through in the clutch, and I expect him to post a multi-hit game on Thursday. For the series, he is 6-18 with two home runs. He also has walked three times which tells me he is seeing the ball extremely well right now.
With much of the Giant’s game plan revolving around Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Justin Turner, Smith could be the offensive difference-maker for LA.
On the Giants’ side, Kris Bryant has been swinging a hot bat as of late and gets to face a lefty in this one. For the series, Bryant is an impressive 6-13 with a home run and has also made a couple of terrific plays on the defensive end as well.
Although I expect the Dodgers to be careful with Bryant, he will make a crucial impact, whether it is by getting base hits or drawing walks and getting on base.
Prediction: Who Wins the Battle by the Bay?
The betting odds and betting lines don’t know who to favor in this one. And it is understandable, as these teams have had about as equal of a season as one could hope to have. In fact, entering Thursday, the Giants and Dodgers have won the exact amount of total games this year since the Giants had a one-game lead during the regular season, but the Dodgers won the Wild Card game.
So naturally, it all comes down to this.
Without further ado, my MLB betting pick to win Game 5 of the National League Division Series is the San Francisco Giants.
I fully believe this game will come down the wire. The Giants play such a quality brand of baseball from a defensive and bullpen perspective, that I think they can squeak this one out.
And no matter what happens, this may go.
