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Boston (59-51) at LA Dodgers (69-42)
- When: Aug 2 2026, 7:20 PM
- Where: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
- TV: NBC/Peacock
Boston vs LA Dodgers MLB Preview & Pick
Moneyline: LA Dodgers -183
Runline: LA Dodgers -1.5 (+120)
Total: 8.5
Deadline Drama
The Dodgers spent the trade deadline collecting aces like they’re completing a baseball trading card set, landing Tarik Skubal while somehow hanging onto Emmet Sheehan. Los Angeles is still favored at -183, but after dropping the first two games, the only thing they’re trying to sweep now is the panic under the rug.
Sheehan (4-7, 4.95 ERA) gets the ball after allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. He also surrendered just one run across five innings against the Mets in his latest outing, showing signs that his season is finally trending in the right direction.
Boston Brings The Heat
The Red Sox didn’t fly to Los Angeles for sightseeing. They grabbed the first two games and now smell a sweep. Ceddanne Rafaela has been unconscious at the plate, launching three home runs over his last four at-bats and becoming everyone’s least favorite hitter if they’re wearing Dodger blue.
Boston hands the ball to rookie Jake Bennett (6-4, 2.74 ERA), who has been outstanding all season despite seeing his five-game winning streak snapped in his last outing after allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings.
Willson Contreras remains questionable after taking a 95.4 mph fastball off the helmet, but Boston hasn’t exactly slowed down without him.
New Toys, Same Problem
Yoshinobu Yamamoto admitted he was surprised by the Skubal trade, and Dodgers fans are already dreaming about future rotations. Unfortunately for them, future rotations don’t pitch Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Rafaela couldn’t resist a little jab, joking that the Dodgers probably have every good player in baseball already. Fair point.
LVSB Final Take
The Dodgers may have won the trade deadline, but Boston is winning the games that actually count this weekend. Sheehan has improved, but Bennett has been the steadier arm, while Rafaela is swinging a bat that looks like it came straight from a video game. At +151, the Red Sox have the value to finish the sweep and ruin another Hollywood ending.
Final Score: Red Sox 6, Dodgers 4
Lean: Boston (+151)
Total: Over 8.5 (-105)
- MLB Baseball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
