San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers odds, picks & predictions

The San Francisco Giants (76-76) and Los Angeles Dodgers (93-58) open a 4-game set Thursday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Giants vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Giants lead 4-2

The Giants lost 7-1 as -112 favorites at the Arizona Diamondbacks as the total (8) pushed Wednesday. San Francisco has lost 5 of 6 and is 3 games back of the Chicago Cubs for the final NL Wild Card.

The Dodgers lost 4-2 as -254 home favorites vs. the Detroit Tigers as the Under (8) cashed Wednesday. Los Angeles is 3½ games behind the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the NL.

Giants at Dodgers projected starters

LHP Kyle Harrison vs. RHP Emmet Sheehan

Harrison (1-1, 5.18 ERA) makes his 6th start. The rookie has a 1.40 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 24 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 6-5 home victory in 10 innings vs. Cleveland Guardians on Sept. 13
• 2023 road stats: 0-1, 8.00 ERA (9 IP, 8 ER) in 2 starts
• Never faced Dodgers before

Sheehan (3-1, 5.44 ERA) makes his 10th start and 12th appearance. The rookie has a 1.27 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 49 2/3 innings.

• Last outing: No-decision, 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K in relief during 6-2 victory in 11 innings at Seattle Mariners Saturday
• Last start: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 8-5 victory at Washington Nationals on Sept. 8
• 2023 home stats: 1-0, 3.14 ERA (28 2/3 IP, 10 ER) in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
• Career vs. Giants: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K in his MLB debut, a 7-5 home loss in 11 innings June 16

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Giants at Dodgers odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:06 p.m. ET.

Giants at Dodgers picks and predictions

Prediction

Dodgers 7, Giants 3

The Dodgers (-185) should bounce back after losing vs. the Tigers, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when Los Angeles should win by multiple runs.

PASS. Bet the run line and/or the total instead.

The Dodgers are an MLB-best 36-21 on the run line this season after a loss, according to TeamRankings.com. Los Angeles is also 25-16 on the run line vs. divisional opponents, and Sheehan was dominant vs. the Giants in his MLB debut.

Harrison — in just his 6th career start — will face a motivated Dodgers lineup coming off a loss as massive favorites. Look for Los Angeles to score a lot of runs early and bounce back from its poor showing last time out.

BET DODGERS -1.5 (+105).

The Over is 35-18-4 (66.0%) this season when the Dodgers are coming off a loss. San Francisco’s rookie starter is in a tough spot, facing a Los Angeles offense that is 2nd in MLB in runs per game at 5.64. I expect the Dodgers to do most of the heavy lifting in this one to help the Over hit Thursday.