The MLB trade deadline is on Tuesday, hours before the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Oakland Athletics in a series opener. These teams are headed in opposite directions for the season, with the A’s holding the worst record in MLB and the Dodgers own the second-best MLB odds to win the National League. Newcomer Lance Lynn takes the ball for the first time in a Dodgers uniform as he opposes Athletics starter Ken Waldichuk.
Heading into August, the Dodgers standings have them in a great position to make the playoffs. They are two games ahead in the NL West and closing in on being the second team in the league with 60 wins. A win on Tuesday gives them twice as many wins as Oakland as we take a look at a Dodgers vs Athletics prediction.
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Overall Game Info & Outlook
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics
Location: Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, California
Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 – 10:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: MLB Network
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics Betting Preview
Los Angeles Dodgers Preview
The MLB schedule had the Los Angeles Dodgers at home for the last six games, but they lost both series. They dropped two of three to both the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds, winning the middle game of both series. They won their last series on the road, going 2-1 in Texas July 21-23.
The Dodgers have already been busy at the trade deadline, acquiring starting pitcher Lance Lynn and relief pitcher Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox. Lynn, who was 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA in Chicago this season, makes his Dodgers debut on Tuesday against Oakland. He leads all of MLB with 28 home runs allowed this season.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers are 4-6 in their last ten games
- The over is 6-3-1 in the last 10 Dodgers games
- The Dodgers are 23-11 in the first game of a series this season
- Los Angeles is 31-14 when coming off a loss in 2023
Dodgers’ Bats Are Hot, But Can They Get Lynn Back on Track?
Freddie Freeman leads the Dodgers with a .329 batting average, while Mookie Betts is hitting .277. Betts has 27 home runs, tied with Max Muncy for the team lead, and J.D. Martinez has 25 home runs. Martinez leads with 75 RBI, two more than Freeman and five ahead of Muncy.
While this will be Lynn’s first Dodgers start, the bullpen behind him is much better than what he was accustomed to in Chicago. Evan Phillips has 13 saves and a 2.21 ERA, while Brusdar Graterol has four saves, 12 holds, and a 1.80 ERA. The Dodgers have four relievers with at least 25 outings and an ERA under 2.90.
To win this game and strengthen their position in the NL West, the Dodgers need Lynn to turn things around. He hasn’t faced Oakland this season but has fared well against their hitters, with only Nick Allen and Seth Brown batting over .200 against the right-hander. The Dodgers should be able to score often against the last-place A’s, but they need Lynn to keep them in the game.
Oakland Athletics Preview
The Athletics are 4-6 in their last ten games. They just won a series in Colorado with wins on Friday and Saturday before a Sunday 2-0 loss. Oakland lost both games in San Francisco last week and dropped three of four at home to AL West, leading Houston in this current stretch.
Oakland remains on pace to have one of the worst seasons ever for any of the MLB teams, as they are on target for 45 wins. Those who have been betting on baseball in 2023 have been able to make a nice profit going against Oakland all season long. Waldichuk last started on July 19, and he hasn’t gone five innings since May 19.
- The Oakland Athletics are 15-38 on the road this season
- The Athletics have scored more than five runs twice in their last ten games.
- Oakland is 12-22 in the first game of a series
- The Athletics have gone under their team total in 57 of the last 90 games
Can A’s Pitching Staff Hold Off Dodgers’ Offense?
The Oakland offense is led by Esteury Ruiz as the only player with more than 130 at-bats and a .257 average. Brent Rooker has 17 home runs and 47 RBI, both tops on the team. Oakland has recently called up rookies Tyler Soderstrom and Zack Gelof, and both are batting under .220 in their first 14 games.
Trevor May has ten saves but an ERA of 4.55, and seven of the eight most-used pitchers have ERA’s over 4.50. Six pitchers have made at least ten starts, and none have more than three wins, and all have ERA of at least 4.09.
For a Dodgers vs Athletics prediction to go the A’s way, the bats must be rolling. In their 30 wins this season, the A’s have scored at least six runs 15 times, and they are 20-12 when scoring at least five runs. The Dodgers are in a bit of a slump, but Oakland must score plenty to win this game.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics Odds & Picks
- Moneyline: Looking at BetOnline baseball, the Dodgers are massive favorites at -242. The Athletics are +190.
- Totals: The run line is set at 9.5 with the over 9.5 runs is -117, and the under is -104.
Odds for this Matchup:
Los Angeles Dodgers | Oakland Athletics |
-242 | +190 |
Top Sportsbooks Odds
Betonline: Dodgers -242, Athletics +190
Bovada: Dodgers -238, Athletics +185
MyBookie: Dodgers -232, Athletics +180
BetUS: Dodgers -240, Athletics +195
BetNow: Dodgers -245, Athletics +198
Recommended Pick: Over 9.5 runs (-117)
The top Dodgers vs Athletics prediction is to take over 9.5 runs. The over hit in four of Lynn’s last five White Sox starts, with the opposing team averaging 7.4 runs per game in those contests.
He gave up seven runs to the A’s in 11⅔ innings last year, so look for the runs to come early and often in this game from both teams.
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