Dodgers favored vs. Red Sox despite struggling rookie starting pitcher

The Dodgers bats were quiet Friday until Freddie Freeman unloaded a grand slam in the eighth inning that accounted for all four Los Angeles runs in a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox. They may need more than that from their offense Saturday.

Rookie Justin Wrobleski will start for the Dodgers, which may force LA's offense to do a little more heavy lifting. Wrobleski in two starts this season has pitched 10 innings and allowed eight runs (seven earned), with eight strikeouts and four walks. He's also surrendered four home runs.

What's encouraging for LA is that Wrobleski in the first three innings has a 1.50 ERA with seven strikeouts against just two walks in 6.0 innings. Flashes like that are good. It's the second and third times through the order that kill him. Over the final five innings of games he has a 13.50 ERA in just 4.0 innings. He has only one strikeout in those innings.

He's in line to face Brayan Bello for Boston, who has struggled in his own right. Bello has a 5.32 ERA in 17 starts this season, and a career 4.67 ERA in 56 starts.

In a matchup that doesn't favor the pitching, the Dodgers are the favorites per BetMGM:

Run line

Red Sox +1.5: -165
Dodgers -1.5: +140

Money line

Red Sox: +120
Dodgers: -145

Total

Over 9.5 runs: -105
Under 9.5 runs: -115

Prediction

The Dodgers offense might have its way with Bello, who has been better on the road than at home this season, but his numbers still aren't great. LA's bats have been relatively quiet lately and a big-time breakout game is on the table for them. If they can get an early lead it should allow Wrobleski to settle in and build off his last start in Detroit where he was outstanding early and faltered in the middle innings.

Dodgers 8, Red Sox 5