MLB Picks: Dodgers vs. Angels 8/14/20

Los Angeles Dodgers (13-7) vs. Los Angeles Angels (7-12), 8/14/20
Listed Pitchers: Clay Kershaw (1-1, 3.60) vs. Patrick Sandoval (0-1, 2.70)
Time: 9:40 pm ET Friday, Aug. 14
Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
TV: FS 1

Moneyline: Dodgers -175/Angels +155
Over/Under: 9

The battle for LA begins Friday night when the Dodgers and Angels open a three-game interleague series at the Big A in Anaheim. The Dodgers just climbed into a tie for first place in their divisional race, and they’ll throw their ace Friday night. Who are we going with here for our free MLB pick?

MLB Betting Odds

Friday’s MLB betting odds opened with the Dodgers and Kershaw at around -160 over the Angels and Sandoval, with an over/under of 8.5 runs at (5Dimes). Early betting action then bumped the Blue Crew about 15 cents, to around -175, and the total to nine.

The Dodgers could also be found “getting” around -105, giving the run and a half on the MLB betting run line.

Dodgers vs. Angels Set-Up

The Dodgers just split four games at home with San Diego, losing the first two and winning the last two, including an 11-2 decision Thursday. The Dodgers hit six home runs Thursday, three by newcomer Mookie Betts, to back up a quality start from Julio Urias.

Before that series, the Dodgers split four games with San Francisco.

At 13-7 overall, the Dodgers are tied for the lead in the NL West with Colorado.

Meanwhile, the Angels took two of three games at home from Oakland, missing out on the sweep by losing the series finale Wednesday 8-4. They then had Thursday off.

Just before that, the Angels got swept three games at Texas.

At 7-12 overall, the Angels occupy fourth place in the AL West, six games behind the first-place A’s. But they’re also only two games behind the second-place Rangers, and second place makes the playoffs this season.

Last year the Angels swept four games from the Dodgers, two in Anaheim and two at Chavez Ravine. Also, all four of those games played under on the totals.

Friday’s Starting Arms

Lefty Sandoval is one-for-two on quality starts this season. In his season debut two weeks ago against Seattle Sandoval allowed two runs – one earned – on four hits through four innings of a 10-2 Angels win. Then last Saturday, he held Texas to two runs on four hits through six innings, although the Angels lost that game 2-0.

So on the season, Sandoval has allowed three ER and eight hits through 10 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts.

This will be Sandoval’s first-ever action against the Dodgers, which might give him an edge for the first couple of times through the lineup.

Fellow southpaw Kershaw is 0/2 on quality starts this season. In his season debut 12 days ago against Arizona, he came up one out short of a QS, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, with zero walks and six whiffs, in a 3-0 Dodgers victory. But last Saturday, he got touched by the Giants for four runs and seven hits, including three dingers, through 4 1/3 frames of a 5-4 Dodgers loss.

So for the season, Kershaw’s allowed four runs and ten hits through ten innings, with two walks and 16 strikeouts.

This will be Kershaw’s first start against the Angels since July of 2018 when he gave up three runs through 6 2/3 innings of a 5-3 Dodgers win.

Friday’s Batting Splits

The Dodgers are batting just .193 against left-handed pitching this season, with a .293 team OBP and a .352 team slugging percentage. But they’ve also scored at least five runs six times in their last nine games.

The Angels are batting .205/.283/.377 vs. LH pitching this season. But they also just scored 20 runs in their three-game series against Oakland.

MLB Betting Trends

• The Dodgers are 7-2 on the road this season.
• The Angels are 4-5 at home this season.
• The Dodgers are 3-1 against left-handed starters this season.
• The Angels are 3-3 vs. LH starters this season.
• Of the Dodgers’ 13 wins this season, 12 have come by at least two runs.

Totals Report

• Unders are 11-6 in Dodgers games this season.
• Overs are 11-8 in Angels games this season.
• Totals split 39-39 in games played at Angel Stadium last season.

Free MLB Pick

Kershaw owns the check-mark in the pitching match-up, of course, and we expect a bounce-back effort following a poor one last time out. And while the Angels might own a slight edge in the splits with the sticks, the Dodgers own the better bullpen. So we gotta go with the Blue Crew here. Also, in knowing the Dodgers will bat nine times we’ll take a chance and give the run and a half against the run line. Bet your Dodgers vs. Angels pick for FREE by grabbing a 100% bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250 at BetNow Sportsbook!