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Dodgers vs. Royals Prediction and Odds for Sunday, August 14 (Can Los Angeles Win 13 Straight on Run Line?)

By Ben Heisler

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Anderson hopes to give his team their 13th straight victory, as well as 13 in a row wins on the run line.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Anderson hopes to give his team their 13th straight victory, as well as 13 in a row wins on the run line. / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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The L.A. Dodgers are baseball's hottest team; entering their Sunday series finale with the Kansas City Royals winners of 12 straight games.

Even more remarkable? All of those wins have been as favorites on the run line; meaning they've outscored opponents by more than two runs in every game.

Via Bets Stats, the 12 straight run line covers is the fifth longest run line streak of all time since run line results have been tracked, and they're the only team in history to have a 10-game win streak as a favorite in every game.

They'll send Tyler Anderson (13-1, 2.72 ERA) to the bump against right-hander Brady Singer (5-4, 3.49 ERA) as they look to make it 13 in a row.

Here are the latest odds from K.C. for Sunday's matinee courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook:

Dodgers vs. Royals Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

  • Dodgers -2.5 (+100)
  • Royals +2.5 (-140)

Moneyline:

  • Dodgers -220
  • Royals +200

Total:

  • 8.5 (OVER -135 | UNDER +105)

Dodgers vs. Royals Prediction and Pick

I smell something in the Kansas City water this Sunday that leads me to believe a closer game is coming than most of the betting public might expect.

Sure, the Dodgers have been lethal as a run line team all year. They have 79 wins on the season, and 71 of them have been by two runs or more. If you plan to bet the Dodgers, the value all season long has been on the run line.

However, the odds look a bit funny to me. We have L.A. all the way up to -2.5 on the run line, but the moneyline odds are only Kansas City +200. Meanwhile, in another AL Central matchup in Chicago, the White Sox are -200 on the moneyline vs. the Detroit Tigers (+180), but on the run line, Detroit is +1.5 (-120) and Chicago is only -1.5 (+100). This feels like an indication of some sharp money coming in on the Royals.

So what can we infer from this regarding the game? It seems like the sharps think Brady Singer can hang with Tyler Anderson. The young right-hander has been the Royals' most consistent starter this year with a 3.49 ERA and 3.28 expected Fielding Independent Pitching, or xFIP. Anderson has been terrific this season, but Singer's xFIP is actually sizably lower than that of Anderson's at 4.07.

The Royals are live as a big dog at home, and while I like the security of having L.A. need to win by three runs, I also think it's worth a sprinkle on the moneyline as well.

LEAN: Royals +2.5 (-140) + Royals ML +200

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