At the start of the 2023 MLB regular season, would you have included in your MLB betting a wager that the Baltimore Orioles would have a better record than the Los Angeles Dodgers after 93 games? Going into Tuesday night’s game, the Orioles (57-36) are three games better than the perennial National League contending Dodgers (54-39). They wrap up their three-game midweek set on Wednesday afternoon. Now that the Los Angeles Angels are looking to trade the reigning AL MVP, Shohei Ohtani, who can dominate batters every fifth day from the mound AND leads MLB with 35 home runs, the Orioles have emerged as a top contender. Also, Ohtani is reportedly looking for a team that would not have to give up a lot of young assets – and sacrifice long-term competitiveness – to bring him to town, and Baltimore has a robust enough farm system to get Ohtani and remain optimistic for long-term contention. Let’s break down this matinee matchup.
MLB Betting Preview: L.A. Dodgers at Baltimore Orioles
When: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 1:05 pm ET
Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
TV: No National Broadcast
Radio: AM 570 LA Sports Los Angeles / 98 Rock FM Baltimore
Live Stream: MLB.tv
MLB Odds: Los Angeles -145 / Baltimore +125 / O/U 9
Projected Pitching Matchup: Julio Urias (7-5, 4.35 ERA) (LA) vs Dean Kremer (10-4, 4.59 ERA) (BAL)
Why should you bet on the Dodgers?
Julio Urias was on the shelf from May 18 until July 1 with a hamstring injury, and while his return against Kansas City was far from optimal (3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 K, 2 BB), since then, in wins over Pittsburgh and the Mets, he has thrown 12 combined innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits against the Pirates, striking out eight with a walk, and then he blanked the Mets on Friday, allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out seven over six innings.
The Dodgers had a six-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday, when they lost to the Mets, 2-1, in extra innings. It’s hard to believe that the Dodgers could use depth at starting pitching, but that’s where they are, and they could use an upgrade at shortstop. They do have the second-best farm system in MLB right now, so they have the prospects to deal. Even so, they have the talent to get another winning streak going.
Bet on the Dodgers!
Why should you put your money on the Orioles?
Dean Kremer has a 1.38 ERA through two starts in July, with a seven-inning gem at Yankee Stadium (7.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 10 K, 1 BB) followed by a six-inning performance against Miami at home on Friday (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 8 K, 2 BB). Since June 13, he has only allowed more than one earned run twice in five starts, and his ERA is making its way down from a season-worst 5.04 as of June 30.
The Orioles enter Tuesday night’s game with the Dodgers looking to start another winning streak; they had made it eight in a row when they swept the Miami Marlins coming out of the All-Star break. Then they lost the opener to the Dodgers on Monday night. This is another team that could benefit from a starting pitcher – if not Ohtani, perhaps the likes of Lance Lynn, Marcus Stroman, or Lucas Giolito.
Bet on the Orioles!
Final Score and Prediction
Both of these pitchers are trending upward, but Kremer didn’t have the long layoff, and the Orioles have been scoring runs more reliably lately. I pick the O’s to round out the series with a 3-1 win.
MLB Standings
AL East: Updated July 19th
| Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 60 | 38 | .612 | – | L3 | 35-15 | 25-23 |
| Orioles | 57 | 37 | .606 | 1.0 | L2 | 29-20 | 28-17 |
| Blue Jays | 53 | 42 | .558 | 5.5 | L1 | 26-19 | 27-23 |
| Red Sox | 51 | 45 | .531 | 8.0 | L1 | 26-22 | 25-22 |
| Yankees | 50 | 46 | .521 | 9.0 | L3 | 28-23 | 22-23 |
NL West: Updated July 19th
| Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 55 | 39 | .585 | – | W2 | 29-16 | 26-23 |
| Giants | 54 | 41 | .568 | 1.5 | W7 | 26-22 | 28-19 |
| Arizona | 53 | 42 | .558 | 2.5 | W1 | 26-24 | 27-18 |
| Padres | 45 | 50 | .474 | 10.5 | W1 | 25-23 | 20-27 |
| Rockies | 37 | 58 | .389 | 18.5 | W2 | 23-25 | 14-33 |
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