The Dodgers on Thursday will send Michael Grove to the mound in search of a series win over the Rangers. Despite the bullpen arm getting the start, Los Angeles is still a heavy favorite against the defending champions.
Here are the pitching matchups and the betting lines from BetMGM:
Pitching matchup
LAD, Michael Grove: 26 G/1 GS, 4-2, 34.1 IP, 4.72 ERA, 27 H, 12 BB, 42 K
TEX, Michael Lorenzen: 10 G/10 GS, 3-3, 59.0 IP, 3.05 ERA, 45 H, 28 BB, 45 K
Run line
Rangers +1.5: -120
Dodgers -1.5: +100
Moneyline
Rangers: +165
Dodgers: -200
Total
Over 8.5 runs: -115
Under 8.5 runs: -105
Prediction
Grove's one start this year didn't go well. On April 29 in Toronto he got through 2.0 innings, but allowed three runs on four hits and hit a batter in a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays. LA's bullpen has been a strength of late, but they'll need a better outing from Grove on Thursday evening to buoy an offense that might struggle against Lorenzen who is having a good year after making an All-Star team in 2023.
However, the Dodgers this season have largely struggled against power pitchers. Lorenzen lives primarily with a fastball, sinker, changeup combo, but he doesn't rack up a ton of strikeouts. LA should have enough success to plate more than the one run they found in Wednesday's game. It'll just be up to Grove to hold things down for a couple innings to open the game.
Dodgers 5, Rangers 3
