The Dodgers have dropped four consecutive games and on the schedule it looked like they'd be in for a reprieve while visiting the Tigers after three games against the Brewers and three against the Phillies -- both clubs that are leading their respective divisions. Detroit enters play Friday four games below .500 and is fourth in the American League Central. Alas, the pitching matchup makes the scuffling Dodgers underdogs in the Motor City.
James Paxton will head to the mound for Los Angeles against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. That matchup heavily favors the home team, which is why Detroit is a favorite in the BetMGM odds.
Run line
Dodgers +1.5: -175
Tigers -1.5: +145
Moneyline
Dodgers: +120
Tigers: -140
Total
Over 8 runs: -115
Under 8 runs: -105
Prediction
Skubal has been stellar really the last two seasons, posting a 2.55 ERA with 234 strikeouts across 190.1 innings. This year his 0.900 WHIP is the best in baseball. That's a steep mountain for a struggling Dodgers offense to scale. LA is in the midst of a four-game stretch where its offense has plated only six runs.
Unfortunately for the Dodgers their chances to turn Friday's game into a pitchers' duel seem slim. Paxton has a whopping 5.36 ERA on the road this season, and allows teams to bat .267 against him with a .340 on-base percentage. Detroit's offense isn't great, but it's good enough to take advantage if Paxton struggles on the road again. We like the Tigers to give LA its fifth consecutive loss in a low-scoring contest.
Tigers 5, Dodgers 2
