Dodgers vs. Angels MLB Picks: Freeway Series to Continue to be One-Way Traffic

Henry John

Last Updated: July 16, 2022 10:28 AM EDT • 3 min 19 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after throwing against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are priced as heavy favorites ahead of the latest installment of the Freeway Series rivalry against the Los Angeles Angels. Here are our Dodgers-Angels picks.

In a rather unique MLB scheduling spot, the Dodgers and Angels are set to conclude a two-game weekend series under the lights on Saturday night.

The NL West-leading Dodgers (52-37 against the spread, 35-46-8 Over/Under) have gotten the better of their Southern California rivals in each of three previous matchups this season. Those results include the eight-run drubbing that took place on Friday. The Dodgers have been on a torrid hot streak of late. Their lead in the division has ballooned to 9 1/2 games as a result.

As for the Angels (42-49 ATS, 39-45-7 O/U), they've been ice-cold for the better part of the last two months. Despite having two of the best players in the entire sport, the Angels enter Saturday’s contest 13 games below .500. Dating back to June 28, the team has won only three games total, each of which featured Shohei Ohtani as the starting pitcher.

Here are my MLB picks and predictions for Saturday night’s game between the Dodgers and Angels (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Dodgers vs. Angels Game Info

Date: Saturday, July 16, 10:07 p.m. ETTV: MLB Network, ESPN+Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CAWeather: 74 degrees, 7-mph wind to outfield

Dodgers vs. Angels Odds

Dodgers vs. Angels Odds Analysis

The market is behind the Dodgers in an extremely lopsided fashion. The visitors opened around -180 on the Moneyline. Since then, the odds have spiked to a consensus price of -195. Several shops are already listing the Dodgers north of a two-dollar favorite.

Given how lopsided the splits are, it’s no surprise that this line has moved in favor of the Dodgers. At DraftKings, 90% of all run line bets placed and 96% of the total run line handle are on the visitors.

As far as the game total, 8.5 mirrors the opening line as set by oddsmakers. It's worth noting the splits for the total conflict; though 65% of all wagers at DraftKings are on the Over, roughly 60% of the total handle is on the Under.

Dodgers vs. Angels Projected Starting Pitchers

Julio Urias (7-6, 3.01 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) vs. Jose Suarez (1-3, 4.79 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)

Despite a modest win-loss record, Dodgers starter Urias has much better numbers in more telling statistical categories. The 25-year-old southpaw has both an ERA and WHIP that are almost identical to the numbers he posted last season when he won 20 games.

For the Angels, Suarez will get the nod Saturday. The 24-year-old has posted subpar numbers on the season. This includes his most recent appearance in which he allowed four runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work. He's often struggled with command this season.

Dodgers vs. Angels Picks

Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (-120 via DraftKings) ????Over/Under: Under 8.5 (-105 via DraftKings) ??Prop bet: Dodgers -0.5 first five innings (-130 via BetMGM) ?????

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Dodgers vs. Angels RL Pick

Dodgers -1.5 (-120)

The word is out on the Dodgers' tendency to win by more than a single run. For Saturday's affair, you have to lay a bit of juice to back the favorites at -1.5.

Despite the shift in pricing, it's virtually impossible to make a case for backing the Angels in this spot. They haven't won a game in nearly three full weeks that didn't feature Ohtani pitching.

Based on the shaky numbers Suarez has posted of late, it’s hard to imagine he will be very successful against arguably the scariest lineup in baseball. Knowing how terrible the Angels’ bullpen is, all signs point toward another multi-run victory for the Dodgers.

Dodgers vs. Angels O/U Pick

Under 8.5 (-105)

Not only has the Angels’ pitching been terrible recently, but the offense is also struggling. The Angels have been held to two runs or less in eight losses during July.

The Dodgers’ pitching has also shut down its local rivals in all three head-to-head matchups this season. The Angels have scored only three runs in the previous three games. Given that Urias has been a much better pitcher than his win-loss record suggests, this trend will likely continue on Saturday.

Of course, for the Under to hit, the Dodgers’ bats must be held in check to an extent, as well. Considering the abysmal outlook on the Angels, it's possible the road favorites have to exceed a half-dozen runs to put the game Over.

Dodgers vs. Angels Prop Bet

Dodgers -0.5 First Five Innings (-130)

This is an absolute steal based on what the wager ultimately is. Laying half a run for the first five innings with the Dodgers is identical to betting them on the first five Moneyline.

However, the best price on the Dodgers' first five innings Moneyline is -190. Thus, an inexplicable 60-cent discrepancy exists. The value of this first five run line prop is simply too great to leave sitting out there. Knowing that the Dodgers easily have the more reliable starter in Urias only bolsters the outlook.

Where to Bet on Dodgers vs. Angels Bets

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook Caesars Sportsbook DraftKings Sportsbook PointsBet BetMGM

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Dodgers-Angels picks from 7/16/2022 at 3:53 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Henry John

Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.