L.A. Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers: Odds, Run Line, and Total
The L.A. Dodgers pitching staff was praised after leading the Bums to a sweep of the Cubs in MLB’s Tokyo Series. What’s more is that the stable was winning under…
DETROIT, MI – JULY 14: Shortstop Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers throws wide of first base on a single by Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
The L.A. Dodgers pitching staff was praised after leading the Bums to a sweep of the Cubs in MLB's Tokyo Series. What's more is that the stable was winning under duress. The Dodgers are using a rash of injuries to flex on rival teams and are not looking as hurt as a ball club with their long injury list. They'll try to do it again on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, when the Detroit Tigers visit for a three-game opening series to begin at 7 PM on the East Coast.
The catch is that Blake Snell, not Tokyo Series ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is set to start on Opening Day in SoCal. Snell lost a game to NPB's Hanshin Tigers in spring training. That's a far cry from beating the Chicago Cubs. Detroit's ace Tarik Skubal will start versus Snell.
Betting odds are in L.A.'s favor going into the series. But not by a wide margin. Respect for Detroit's own playoff bid from last season is written into the odds for Thursday night.
Spread
- Tigers +1.5 (-174)
- Dodgers -1.5 (+145)
Moneyline
- Tigers (+137)
- Dodgers (-163)
Total
- Over 6.5 (-120)
- Under 6.5 (+100)
*The above data was collected on March 26, 2025, and may have changed since writing.
L.A. Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers Betting Trends
- The Detroit Tigers are 5-10 in their last 15 games at Dodger Stadium.
- The total has gone under in four of the L.A. Dodgers' last five games against the Detroit Tigers.
L.A. Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers Injury Reports
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Pitcher Evan Phillips is on the 15-day IL with a torn rotator cuff
- Pitcher Michael Kopech is on the 15-day IL with right shoulder impingement
- Pitcher Michael Grove is out for the season after right shoulder surgery
Detroit Tigers
- CF Parker Meadows is on the 60-day IL with upper right arm inflammation
- Pitcher Clayton Kershaw is on the 60-day IL following left toe surgery
- Pitcher Brusdar Graterol is on the 60-day IL, recovering from right shoulder surgery
- Pitcher Kyle Hurt is on the 15-day IL, recovering from right elbow surgery
L.A. Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers Predictions & Picks
MLB bettors will notice that Thursday's (6.5) total is even lower than the O/U for Marlins-Pirates, average lineups who'll bat into a 15 MPH wind. That's not just due to the Dodgers' great pitching staff. Detroit's starter Skubal is coming off a Cy Young season.
Skubal shined in late winter while other hurlers were just getting warmed up. "Skubal is set to become the fourth reigning Cy Young winner to make his season debut against the defending World Series champions," notes Sam Connon of SI Fastball. Detroit's 28-year-old ace won twice and did not suffer a loss in five Grapefruit League appearances.
Thursday's starters earned the hype. Still, you can't expect Cy Young talents to overdo their pitch counts in March ball games. With the Bums' bullpen on thin ice already, the best picks available are Detroit's underdog Run Line, or over-total-runs picks on a very low number.
