Walker Buehler's return in 2024 hasn't been awesome. The 29-year-old right-hander has struggled with his location and while his walk rate hasn't fluctuated much, his strikeout rate is way down and the former All-Star has looked eminently hittable while posting a 4.64 ERA in seven starts. Los Angeles could really use a better version of Buehler while Yoshinobu Yamamoto is out with a strained rotator cuff.
Tuesday will be a tough test for Buehler in baseball's most hitter-friendly park. He'll get the start for LA against Rockies lefty Austin Gomber.
Here's a look at the betting lines from BetMGM for Tuesday's game, along with a prediction:
Run line
Dodgers -1.5: -120
Rockies +1.5: +105
Moneyline
Dodgers: -185
Rockies: +150
Total
Over 11 runs: -110
Under 11 runs: -110
Prediction
It's hard to put at on of faith in Buehler at this point, but it's not as if he's been horrendous. He's been able to, for the most part, limit damage and pitch his way out of bad spots. Still, he's allowed three or more runs in all but two starts this season. There's reason to believe a better version of him is still there though, and if he can get ahead in more counts against the Rockies he should be able to start trending back toward where he was pre-injury in 2021 and 2022.
It's even more difficult to put faith in Gomber, who strangely has better stats at home than he does on the road. He was nails in four starts in May, but his three June starts have been dreadful. In 11.0 innings this month he's allowed 22 hits and 15 earned runs with five walks and eight strikeouts.
There's a chance we see the rare Coors Field pitcher's duel, but we're going to lean toward runs once again and continue banking on a new-look Dodgers lineup that lit up Colorado pitching in its first game without Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot.
Dodgers 7, Rockies 4
