Dodgers vs Brewers MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Prediction

Written by on April 18, 2019

Of course, the LA Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games in last year’s National League Championship Series. Alas, the two clubs won’t play again this season – barring the playoffs – after this weekend as they open a four-game set in Milwaukee on Thursday with the Brewers opening as slight dogs on the MLB Lines.

How to Bet Dodgers vs Brewers MLB Odds & Game Info

Season Series

These teams met last weekend in Los Angeles and the Brewers took two of three. L.A. won the finale 7-1 to avoid back-to-back sweeps for the first time since 2017 when they last dropped seven games in a row. Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit safely in all three games against his old team in his return to LA. He was 6 for 11 with a homer and two RBI in the series. This month, he’s hitting .514 with four homers and seven RBI.

L.A. won Game 7 in Milwaukee in last year’s NLCS, 5-1. Yasiel Puig broke open a tight contest with a three-run homer in the sixth inning – Puig is now with Cincinnati. Kenley Jansen tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings before yielding to Clayton Kershaw in the ninth.

Why Bet on LA Dodgers?

Will the Dodgers have early NL MVP candidate Cody Bellinger for Game 1? He took a 95 mph fastball off his right knee on Monday and didn’t play Tuesday, although X-rays were negative. Bellinger made an appearance in the on-deck circle Tuesday, but he didn’t get into the game against the Reds. Bellinger has been the National League’s best player this season. The 2017 rookie of the year leads the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs and runs batted in. He boasts three of the Dodgers’ four stolen bases and has supplied plus defense in the outfield and at first base. Bellinger did start Wednesday but still worth monitoring.

Also, monitor the status of third baseman Justin Turner. Turner fouled a pitch off his left ankle during batting practice Monday and then experienced some left hamstring tightness after the game got underway. He played Monday but sat Tuesday and is considered day-to-day. Turner is the Dodgers’ only position player without a home run. The 34-year-old third baseman is batting .302, but his only extra-base hits are two doubles. Slow starts in the power department are typical for Turner — just two of his 93 career home runs have been hit in March or April. Turner also sat Wednesday.

It’s young lefty Julio Urias (0-1, 5.27) on the mound here. Urias will start this series opener against the Brewers before moving to the bullpen. Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin) was cleared to rejoin the starting rotation after a bullpen session Monday, but Urias will make one final start rather than immediately move to the bullpen. The 22-year-old got knocked around in his start against Milwaukee last week, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits across five innings.

Urias looked very good this spring and excelled in his first regular-season start, but he’s given up nine runs in 8 2/3 innings his last two times out.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 6.10
  • Hits: 9.30
  • Walks: 4.35
  • Strike Outs: 7.70

Defense

  • Runs: 4.65
  • Hits: 7.95
  • Walks: 2.60
  • Strike Outs: 8.05

Why Bet on Milwaukee?

The Brewers have placed right-handed reliever Alex Wilson on the paternity leave list. Wilson should be back with the club at some point this weekend. To take his spot, right-hander Jake Petricka was called up. Petricka has allowed two earned runs on two hits and four walks over two innings of relief this season with the Brewers.

On the bright side, the team activated RHP Jeremy Jeffress from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. He didn’t pitch great on his rehab stint while making his way back from shoulder weakness, but the good news is that he feels great. If he can prove he’s healthy and effective, it’s very possible he gets the bulk of the save chances moving forward.

Dodgers vs Brewers is going to be a close one.

Reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich probably will be sad to see the Cardinals go. On Tuesday, Yelich hit a 3-run home run in the fifth inning, his team-leading ninth of the season. The homer was his eighth against the Cardinals this season, already the most by a Brewer vs. St. Louis in a single season. Yelich’s 10 RBI in the first 2 games of this series are also already the most ever by a Brewer in a single series against the Cardinals, surpassing Casey McGehee’s mark of 9 set in a 3-game set at St. Louis in September 2009. Dating back to 2018, Yelich is batting .365 with 33 HR and 97 RBI over his last 92 games.

Ryan Braun (1,813) needs 2 hits to tie Cecil Cooper (1,815) for third place on the all-time franchise list.

It’s Zach Davies on the mound. Davies has been the stalwart of the Brewers’ starting staff after three full turns of the rotation. Only reliever Josh Hader has an ERA better than Davies (2-0). He) picked up the win in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Dodgers, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings while striking out six. A Cody Bellinger solo shot in the fourth inning was all the offense L.A. could muster against the right-hander. Davies now boasts a 1.53 ERA, but his 13:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings is less than dominant.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 5.21
  • Hits: 8.79
  • Walks: 3.79
  • Strike Outs: 8.79

Defense

  • Runs: 5.32
  • Hits: 8.68
  • Walks: 3.58
  • Strike Outs: 9.32

Dodgers vs Brewers MLB Betting Trends

  • Dodgers are 5-2 in Urias’ last 7 starts vs. National League Central
  • Brewers are 4-1 in Davies’ last 5 starts during game 1 of a series
  • Under is 4-1 in Davies’ last 5 starts vs. Dodgers
  • LA is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
  • LA is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games
  • Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
  • Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games at home

Expert Prediction

LA Dodgers 3 – Milwaukee Brewers 4