After a long wait, we’ll finally get the 2020 MLB season underway with a two-game doubleheader featuring the New York Yankees at Washington Nationals & San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers.
We’ll focus on the second half of Thursday’s doubleheader – a historic rivalry matchup between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Last season, the Dodgers won the season series 12-7, and even went on to win the National League West title once again.
Without further ado, let’s dive into this game and make some money on the first night!
SF Giants at LA Dodgers
Thursday, July 23, 2020 – 10:00 p.m. EST
Starting Pitchers
SF Giants: Johnny Cueto – R (2019 Regular Season: 1-2, 5.06 ERA/1.25 WHIP)
LA Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw – L (2019 Regular Season: 16-5, 3.03 ERA/1.04 WHIP)
Odds and Betting Lines
- Moneyline: LA Dodgers -295 / SF Giants +250
- Run Spread: SF Giants -1.5 (-130) / LA Dodgers +1.5 (+108)
- Over/Under: 7.5 runs, -110 over, -110 under
Injury List
SF Giants: Brandon Belt (IL); Evan Longoria (IL); Hunter Pence (Q); Buster Posey (O)
LA Dodgers: Jimmy Nelson (IL); David Price (O)
News/Notes
– This will be Clayton Kershaw’s ninth Opening Day start. He has a 1.05 ERA as an Opening Day starter, making it the second-lowest ERA in the Live-Ball era (min. five starts) on that day.
Kershaw boasts a ridiculous 1.05 ERA as an Opening Day starter.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 21, 2020
That’s the 2nd-lowest ERA as an Opening Day starter in the Live-Ball era (min. 5 such starts), trailing only Rick Mahler (0.92 ERA in 5 starts).
– In the Dodgers last four season openers, they have scored 12, 0, 14 and 15 runs. The only blank spot in that span came against the Giants back in 2018.
– The Dodgers have made it to the World Series in two of the last three seasons, losing both appearances. They have, however, won seven straight NL West titles.
– Mookie Betts is close to signing a 13-year, $380 million contract with the Dodgers.
Betting Picks
Dodgers Run Line (-130)
Given Kershaw’s dominance on Opening Day, taking the Dodgers to win big isn’t much of a stretch. In fact, LA’s dominance in the season opener doesn’t only account for the starting pitching, but the offense as well. In three of their last four season openers, the Dodgers have scored 12 runs or more.
Not to mention, Dodgers’ bats have crushed Cueto over the course of their careers. At one point, he was a solid pitcher. However, the times have certainly changed for these pitchers – even on the other side. This is a very bad Giants lineup that is already missing
We feel confident enough to lay the extra run here, being as how there will plenty of them going up on the scoreboard tonight.
Over 8 Runs (-120)
Whenever there’s an eight-run total with -120 juice on the total for a game at Dodger Stadium, there is usually a good reason. For tonight’s matchup, we can feel pretty optimistic about the LA bats getting going early and often against Cueto. It really wouldn’t surprise us if the Dodgers just hit this over by themselves.
Even with all of the gaudy Opening Day stats we laid out for Kershaw, let’s not act like his talent hasn’t slipped a little. Kershaw is definitely capable of giving up a homer or two, even against a worthless Giants lineup like we’ll see tonight.
