- This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Boston (56-51) at LA Dodgers (68-40)
- When: Jul 31 2026, 10:10 PM
- Where: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
- TV: SportsNet LA
Boston vs LA Dodgers MLB Preview & Pick
Moneyline: LA Dodgers -133
Runline: LA Dodgers -1.5 (+160)
Total: 8.5
Ohtani Gets A Recharge
The Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani a rare day off, which is basically baseball’s version of unplugging the world’s fastest supercomputer. The superstar has been battling a sore left knee and right biceps tightness, but after treatment and a little rest, he’s expected to return to the top of the lineup Friday.
Before taking the night off, Ohtani was heating up with five hits in his last seven at-bats, including three extra-base hits. Dave Roberts is hoping a little maintenance now prevents a whole lot of panic later.
Even without their biggest star, Los Angeles handled Seattle 6-2. Teoscar Hernandez finally remembered where the home-run button was, launching his first long ball since July 3, while Dalton Rushing crushed a three-run homer to keep the offense rolling.
Bullpen Roulette
The Dodgers are once again spinning the bullpen wheel.
With Ohtani temporarily out of the pitching rotation, Edgardo Henriquez (4-1, 2.79 ERA) gets the opening inning before the bullpen takes over. It’s a strategy that’s either brilliant… or gives every pitching coach a stress headache by the third inning.
Boston counters with Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.02 ERA), who looked sharp in his return from the injured list by tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts against Toronto. He also owns a respectable 3-2 record with a 3.64 ERA in eight career appearances against Los Angeles, so he won’t be intimidated by the Hollywood lights.
Red-Hot Visitors
The Red Sox arrive hotter than a July sidewalk.
Boston has won 20 of its last 23 games since July 3 and an eye-popping 25 of its last 30 since June 25. Their latest comeback featured back-to-back home runs from Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras, proving this lineup doesn’t believe games end after seven innings.
Jarren Duran also created a little dugout drama after questioning a baserunning decision before quickly brushing it off afterward. Nothing says “everything’s fine” quite like saying, “Nothing happened.”
With Ohtani expected back, the Dodgers get their biggest weapon, but Boston’s scorching offense makes this one far more dangerous than the odds suggest.
Final Score: Dodgers 5, Red Sox 4
Lean: LA Dodgers (-133)
Total: Over 8.5 (-105)
- MLB Baseball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
