Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
16
May
8:30 PM
DEN
MIN
+2.5
-2.5
205
Friday
17
May
1:00 PM
NY
IND
+5
-5
217.5

Mets vs Dodgers Odds, Picks, and Betting Lines (August 20)

Blair Johnson

by Blair Johnson in MLB Baseball

Updated Aug 20, 2021 · 7:23 AM PDT

Walker Buehler
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers are home favorites over the New York Mets Friday night
  • The Dodgers send Cy Young candidate Walker Buehler (12-2, 2.09) to the mound to face Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 10.32)
  • The odds and pitching matchups can be found below with a prediction

The L.A. Dodgers – winners of four straight series – host the New York Mets at 10:10 pm ET Friday in the second game of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.

The 2020 World Series champs roughed up Carrasco in Queens on Sunday. The Boys in Blue jumped out to a 6-0 lead on Carrasco in the first two innings of an eventual 14-4 victory at Citi Field. L.A. completed a three-game sweep of the Pirates – outscoring the Buccos 15-4 – before opening the series with the Mets on Thursday. With Buehler sporting an MLB-leading 2.09 ERA coming into Friday’s action, the Dodgers are favorites once again.

As for the Mets, the erstwhile division leaders have struggled in August. The Amazins held a four-game lead in the National League East as late as July 31st. But since deadline day, manager Luis Rojas’ club has gone 5-12 this month and is now looking up at Atlanta in the NL East standings, 4.5 games behind the Braves. New York is coming off losing two of three to San Francisco heading into Thursday’s series opener.

Mets vs Dodgers Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total
New York Mets +215 +1.5 (+100) Over 8.5 (+105)
Los Angeles Dodgers -265 -1.5 (-120) Under 8.5 (-125)

Odds as of August 20th at DraftKings.

Probable Pitchers

On the mound, L.A.’s Walker Buehler (12-2, 2.09) faces New York’s Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 10.32).

Buehler has been a quality start machine in 2021, going at least six innings while allowing three earned runs or less in 21 of his 24 starts. That’s the most in the big leagues this season. The 27-year-old also lead the majors in ERA (2.09) and win percentage (.857).  Buehler had a no-decision in an eventual 2-1 L.A. win in ten innings last Saturday against New York – when he went seven innings and allowed four hits, an earned run, three walks and struck out ten. It was the third time this season the two-time All-Star has struck out at least ten batters in a game.

Carrasco vs Buehler Key Stats

Carlos Carrasco
VS
Walker Buehler
0-1 Record 12-2
10.32 ERA 2.09
5.70 xERA 3.01
1.85 WHIP 0.94
4.00 SO/W 3.95

With all the ups-and-downs of L.A.’s original starting rotation this year – losing Dustin May to Tommy John Surgery, Trevor Bauer’s legal woes, Clayton Kershaw’s elbow issues and Julio Urias’ recent IL stint – Buehler has been the one constant for Dodger manager Dave Roberts. Even in two out of his three non-quality starts, Buehler still went at least 6.1 innings.

The big righty has actually struggled against the Mets in his career, sporting a 0-0 record and 4.24 ERA in three career starts. But he’s clearly the better pitcher in this spot.

Buehler is 7-2 with a 2.12 ERA in 14 road starts this season. In 20 night game starts, he has a 8-2 record and 2.36 ERA.

As for Carrasco, the former Cleveland star made just his fourth start of the season for the Mets last weekend after coming back from a torn right hamstring. He has yet to escape the fourth inning in any of four outings so far in 2021, but the stuff is there.

He’s trending in the wrong direction when it comes to earned runs allowed since his return July 30th, surrendering only one run against Cincinnati over four innings and six in his last outing Sunday in two innings.

Carrasco is 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA in one road start in 2021 and 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA in three night game starts. That includes last Sunday’s start in Flushing, when he got the hook after just 57 pitches and allowing three home runs.

Feeling Blue

As noted above, the Dodgers simply lit up the 34-year-old veteran in his previous start. Justin Turner and Will Smith went deep in the first inning. Then, Max Muncy went yard in the second.

L.A.’s lineup is loaded with talent, but Muncy has been especially hot over the last four games prior to Thursday, with five home runs in 14 at-bats and driving in ten runs.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Dodgers Batters Batting Average vs Carlos Carraso Mets Batters Batting Average vs Walker Buehler
Trea Turner .800 Brandon Nimmo .200
Max Muncy .200 Jeff McNeil .000
Justin Turner .500 Pete Alonso .250
Corey Seager .000 Michael Conforto .143
Will Smith 1.000 JD Davis .286
Chris Taylor .000 Dominic Smith .500
Cody Bellinger 1.000 Jonathan Villar .500

When you look at that table, it certainly doesn’t look promising for Carrasco and New York Friday. But, surprisingly, a handful of Mets of held their own against Buehler.

Pete Alonso is 2-for-8 lifetime against him, with those two hits being home runs. Dominic Smith is 3-for-6 and Jonathan Villar is 2-for-4. Sure, small sample sizes — but there’s a glimmer of hope for Rojas’ club.

Mets vs Dodgers Pick

Even though they trail the Giants by 2.5 games in the NL West standings entering Friday’s game, the Dodgers are still the most talented team — at least offensively — in baseball. L.A. has been red-hot, winning 12 of 15 games in August entering Thursday.

With all the factors pointing in their direction, there’s no reason to bet against the Boys in Blue in this spot.

The Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (-120)

Author Image