by Rod Pearson
Friday, May 26, 2023
Game Time: 4:10 pm ET, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Where to Watch: BSSUN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -115, Rays -105; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -115, Rays -105; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -115, Rays -105; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 31-20 (1st place, NL West)
Tampa Bay Rays: 37-15 (1st place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-5 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this game off of a loss in their last game but did win their 3-game series against the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 31-20 record overall and have a road record of 14-13. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .776 OPS. Noah Syndergaard is their starting pitcher on Friday while Clayton Kershaw is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 6-4 with a 2.98 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 0 HR, and 3 BB with 6 Ks on 5 hits through 3.2 IP against the St Louis Cardinals.
The Rays are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak after winning their 4-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 37-15 record overall and have a home record of 24-5. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the LA Dodgers on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .842 OPS. Jalen Beeks is their starting pitcher on Friday while Tyler Glasnow is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA this season and making his season debut in this game. His team lost their only 2 games last season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 7 strikeouts on 2 hits through 3.2 innings played against the Boston Red Sox.
Dodgers vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Both of these teams enter this series with 2 of the best records in the entire MLB and the Dodgers have been getting really hot lately after a slower start to their season, but the Rays have been hot all year with good pitching and the best offense in the MLB which has also given them the best record in the MLB so far. The Rays have also been really good at home but the Dodgers have been getting hot now and their offense is starting to surge as they now have the 4th best offense in the MLB. The Dodgers are going to be catching a bit of a break here too since Glasnow is starting for the 1st time this season and is coming back from an injury that kept him out most of last season too. He is not going to be sharp in his 1st start back in so long and the Dodgers hot offense can take advantage of that here by putting up a ton of runs in this game. Kershaw is starting for the Dodgers and he wasn't great in his last start but he is also a really experienced and reliable pitcher that will be looking to bounce back with a much better performance here against one of the best offenses in the MLB and show that he still has it. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Dodgers Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, May 27, 2023 (4:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 6 Rays 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 19-25 (-8.8 units) on the moneyline on the road when the money line is +125 to -125. 8-9 (-4.4 units) on the moneyline on the road when the total is 7 or less. 21-11 OVER when the total is 7 or less. 13-6 OVER as a road favorite of -110 or higher.
Tampa Bay Rays: 37-15 (+18.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 24-5 (+17 units) on the moneyline in home games. 31-18 OVER in all games. 23-11 OVER when the total is 7 to 8.5.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: T. Cyr (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. D. May (SP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. J. Urias (SP) Early June - Hamstring. C. Kershaw (SP) Out indefinitely - Personal. D. Hudson (RP) Early June - Knee. M. Grove (SP) Early June - Groin. R. Pepiot (SP) Mid July - Oblique. J. Nelson (RP) Mid July - Elbow. W. Buehler (SP) Early Sept - Elbow. A. Reyes (SP) Early June - Shoulder. G. Lux (2B) out for season - Knee. B. Treinen (RP) Early Sept - Shoulder.
Tampa Bay Rays: Y. Diaz (3B) Ques Fri - Personal. Z. Littell (RP) Mid June - Shoulder. T. Glasnow (SP) Prob Sat - Oblique. S. Armstrong (RP) Early June - Neck. D. Rasmussen (RP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Late July - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“We've talked about the depth we have in our organization. To see it play out in real time is exciting.” - Dave Roberts on their rookie starters Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller after his team’s loss against the Braves in their game on Wednesday.
“Elite pitch execution. To get them to swing early in the count and not drive the ball, it’s speaks to Zach’s stuff.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s win against the Blue Jays in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
Manuel Margot (R) RF
Wander Franco (S) SS
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Taylor Walls (S) 2B
Luke Raley (L) 1B
Christian Bethancourt (R) C
Jose Siri (R) CF
Tampa Bay Rays
Josh Lowe (L) RF
Wander Franco (S) SS
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Taylor Walls (S) 3B
Luke Raley (L) 1B
Manuel Margot (R) CF
Francisco Mejia (S) C
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Freddie Freeman (.325)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (66)
Home Runs: Max Muncy (15)
RBI: Max Muncy (35)
Stolen Bases: Freddie Freeman (6)
Wins: Clayton Kershaw (6)
Saves: Evan Phillips (7)
ERA: Tyler Cyr (0.00)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Yandy Diaz (.322)
Hits: Wander Franco (57)
Home Runs: Yandy Diaz (11)
RBI: Randy Arozarena (39)
Stolen Bases: Wander Franco (17)
Wins: Shane McClanahan (8)
Saves: Jason Adam (6)
ERA: Chase Anderson (0.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (8th season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
