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Dodgers vs. Brewers Prediction and Odds for Thursday, August 18 (Expect Scoreless Opening Frame)

By Joe Summers

Corbin Burnes has a 2.78 expected ERA ahead of today's showdown with the Dodgers
Corbin Burnes has a 2.78 expected ERA ahead of today's showdown with the Dodgers / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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Andrew Heaney has been spectacular in his brief stint for the Los Angeles Dodgers so far this year and faces his stiffest challenge yet against Corbin Burnes and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Burnes' 2.78 expected ERA is among MLB's leaders and the Brewers are 8-3 in his last 11 starts. Not to be outdone, the Dodgers are 6-1 in Heaney's outings, and his 2.85 expected ERA isn't far behind the 2021 NL Cy Young winner's.

Can Milwaukee pick up a critical win to keep pace in the NL Central or will Los Angeles keep rolling?

Let's take a peak at the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find the value in this Dodgers vs Brewers series finale:

Dodgers vs Brewers Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

  • Dodgers -1.5 (+155)
  • Brewers +1.5 (-190)

Moneyline:

  • Dodgers: +105
  • Brewers: -115

Total:

  • 7.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Dodgers vs Brewers Prediction and Pick

I expect this to be the best game of the series, as Milwaukee gets its ace to go to war against the most potent lineup in all of baseball.

Burnes isn't quite having the otherworldly season he did last year, but he's still one of MLB's premier pitchers and is fully capable of shutting the Dodgers down.

He certainly has an advantage over Andrew Heaney, who lacks the stamina to go deep into games and has an expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) above 4.84 in two of his last four outings.

That being said, the Brewers don't hit lefties well. They're 24th in OPS against southpaws over the last three weeks, so Heaney will have ample opportunity to keep Milwaukee's lineup at bay until Los Angeles' bullpen takes over.

Because I believe in Burnes' ability and don't believe in the Brewers' lineup against left-handed pitchers, I'm inclined to back the under. However, once each bullpen gets involved, things can get dicey.

Thus, I'll side with the No Run First Inning as my best bet in this matchup. Burnes is a certified monster, and Heaney should do his part in keeping this game scoreless early on.

Pick: No Run First Inning (-130)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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