LA Dodgers (52-31) at Kansas City (38-44)
- When: Jun 28 2025, 4:10 PM
- Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
- Where to watch: FDSKC
MLB Preview and Prediction: LA Dodgers vs. Kansas City
Moneyline: LA Dodgers (-156) | Total: 9.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani isn’t fully ramped up on the mound yet, but the Dodgers don’t need him to be. LA has won five straight, and even with Ohtani pitching just one inning per outing, his presence alone has been electric. He’s coming off a scoreless frame last Sunday and continues to dominate offensively, homering four times in his last five games, including No. 29 on Friday along with a game-tying triple.
Manager Dave Roberts isn’t rushing his ace back into a full workload post-elbow surgery, but Ohtani’s track record vs. the Royals is intimidating: a 0.47 ERA over three career starts, including 24 strikeouts in 15 shutout innings. Add that to his offensive tear, and he’s shaping up to be a major headache for Kansas City on both sides.
With Mookie Betts swinging a hot bat, 11-for-22 in his last six games at Kauffman Stadium, the Dodgers look poised to make it six straight wins and continue their surge as NL heavyweights.
Kansas City Royals Breakdown
The Royals are skidding hard, 11 straight home losses and counting. Friday’s 5-4 defeat stung more because they actually outhit the Dodgers 11-4 but left 11 men stranded. The Royals haven’t won at Kauffman Stadium since May 31 and have scored just eight runs during their last six games overall. Ouch.
Bobby Witt Jr. did launch a two-run homer Friday, but he’s had a nightmare facing Ohtani: 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. Meanwhile, Saturday’s starter Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) has quietly been excellent in June with a 1.57 ERA across four starts. Still, the Royals are just 1-3 in those games, mostly due to an offense that goes missing too often.
Lugo’s lone outing against the Dodgers last year was solid six innings, two earned runs, but unless KC gets timely hits, even a quality start may not be enough to snap their home curse.
Betting Outlook
Dodgers -156 – The value may be shrinking, but LA is streaking while Kansas City is spiraling. Ohtani’s two-way dominance and Betts’ clutch bat are difference-makers. Total 9.5 – Lugo’s in good form, Ohtani will limit damage in limited work, and the Royals’ offense is allergic to scoring right now. The Dodgers keep cruising. Ohtani chips in both ways, the bullpen does its job, and Kansas City adds another L to its growing home skid.
Final Score Prediction: Dodgers 5, Royals 3
Best Bet: LA Dodgers RL -1.5 (+100)
Total: Under 9.5 (-120)
- MLB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
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