BAL vs. LAD (Dodgers -1.5)
(MLB) Orioles (BAL) vs. Dodgers (LAD),
Point Spread: -1.50 | 110.00 Dodgers (LAD) (Home)
Result: Loss
I favor a wager on the Dodgers to win and cover the 1.5-run line at plus odds in Tuesday's interleague battle with the Orioles.

A lot has been made of Arizona and San Diego's recent hot play, but Los Angeles has held them off with a 22-12 record in the second half, including 15-7 in August. The Dodgers are scoring 5.1 runs per game this month and have been dominant all season at home (5.0 runs/game). They have been especially lethal against southpaws (.262 BA/.336 OBP/.437 SLG/.773 OPS) and will have plenty of opportunities against Cole Irvin, who is due for negative regression (5.74 xERA and .523 xSLG). The Baltimore bullpen has also been ineffective in the second half of the season.

The Orioles have been underwhelming since the All-Star game, winning 18 and losing 18. They are hitting .235/.300/.397/.697 this month and have been held to three or fewer runs in four of their last five games. Jack Flaherty has been effective all year (3.22 xERA), even after switching leagues to join the Boys in Blue. I expect him to significantly outperform Irvin on Tuesday, giving Los Angeles the pitching advantage needed to cover the run line.