Game: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Baltimore Orioles
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Odds: Dodgers +105, Orioles -125
Total: 9.5
The Los Angeles Dodgers hope to carry on their raging form by sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series to start this week. On Monday, the Dodgers overcame a 4-1 deficit to snap the Orioles’ season-best eight-game winning streak. Chris Taylor’s grand slam was the highlight of a five-run sixth inning for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers received three hits from Freddie Freeman, who went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, and two runs. Will Smith went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run, in addition to Taylor’s major blow.
The Dodgers’ bullpen handled the rest of the game after the team took its first lead. After starter Emmet Sheehan gave up four runs in the first five innings, relievers Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia, Caleb Ferguson, and Ryan Brasier limited the Orioles to just two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings.
Spot starter Michael Grove (1-2, 6.89 ERA) will make his first start against the Orioles tonight in Game 2 of the three-game series. On July 8, the right-hander defeated the Los Angeles Angels 10-5 in relief after giving up four runs on six hits, six strikeouts, and a walk in six innings. Grove held the Pittsburgh Pirates to a run on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in four innings during his previous start, which resulted in a 5-2 victory.
The Orioles will counter with Tyler Wells (7-4, 3.18), who won his most recent start on July 8 by holding the Minnesota Twins to two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out four and walking two. Wells has three straight quality starts. He has pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts.
While the Orioles sent four players to the All-Star Game last week, including relievers Yennier Cano and Felix Bautista, Wells was not included despite allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his last eight starts. The right-hander has made 17 starts this season and has only exceeded two earned runs once since May 24. He has surrendered fewer than three earned runs 12 times this season. This will be his first career start against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight games. The Dodgers are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games against the Orioles. LA has also won four of the last five when playing on the road in Baltimore. In their last seven victories, the Dodgers have scored at least five runs in each and they have averaged seven runs per game. The Dodgers rank third in MLB in scoring, averaging 5.5 runs per game.
Baltimore has been playing well lately. The Orioles (57-36) are second in the AL East and just one game behind first-place Tampa Bay. Baltimore is 7-1 SU in its last eight games and the Orioles have won four of their last five at home.
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