Dodgers vs Angels Prediction, Props, Picks, Odds for Tuesday (9/3)

Two struggling starters face off on Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Angels (57-80) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (83-55) in the opener of the Freeway Series. First pitch for Dodgers-Angels is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET on MLB Network.

Walker Buehler, who has struggled to a 6.00 ERA since returning from the injured on Aug. 14, should benefit from a favorable matchup against a horrid Angels offense. Buehler will be opposed by Angels left-hander Reid Detmers, who drastically underperformed his expected results early in the season before being demoted to Triple-A, where he spent that past three months. Detmers was recalled on Monday to make the start on Tuesday.

This also marks the first time NL MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani plays a regular-season game at Angel Stadium since joining the rival Dodgers. Find my Dodgers vs Angels prediction and pick for Tuesday, September 3, below.

Dodgers vs Angels Predictions

• Dodgers vs. Angels picks: Walker Buehler Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-110)

My Dodgers-Angels best bet is on Walker Buehler to go over 4.5 strikeouts, where I see value at -120 or better. The best prop line is available at bet365 as well as other sportsbooks — make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.

Tuesday, Sept. 3

9:38 p.m. ET

MLB Network

Dodgers Odds
Moneyline	Over/Under	Spread
-178	9 -120o / +100u	-1.5 -125

Angels Odds
Moneyline	Over/Under	Spread
+150	9 -120o / +100u	+1.5 +105

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here.

• Dodgers-Angels Moneyline: Dodgers -178 | Angels +150
• Dodgers-Halos Over/Under: 9 total runs (-120o / +100u)
• Dodgers-Angels Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 (-125) | Angels +1.5 (+105)

Nick Martin’s Dodgers-Angels Preview

Dodgers Betting Preview: Encouraging Signs for Buehler

If the Dodgers' pitching staff heads into the postseason at close to full health, there is an outside chance Buehler could be left off the postseason roster. Buehler and manager Dave Roberts obviously hope it won't come to that, and both were encouraged by the 30-year-old's last start versus Baltimore.

Buehler was highly critical of himself after an ugly start on Aug. 20 against Seattle, so maybe it means a little more that he stated he felt "as encouraged as I've been since 2021" following his last outing. Roberts was also encouraged by Buehler's outing despite a modest final stat line.

Buehler's fastball has averaged 94.8 in each of his last two outings. He threw 90 pitches last time out despite only recording 14 outs. His 11.1% swinging-strike rate versus Baltimore was the highest mark of his season.

His 2024 Pitching+ rating of 101 matches last season's mark, a season where he pitched to an ERA of 4.02. Buehler's stuff is far from what it was in his dominant years but he still has enough to improve upon a 5.15 xERA and 4.80 xFIP moving forward.

While the Dodgers' IL is still littered with high-end pitchers, Roberts should have every position player at his disposal for this matchup.

The Dodgers are tied for second versus left-handed pitching this season with a wRC+ of 116. Since Aug. 1, they have hit to a wRC+ of 110 against lefties and struck out just 17.3% of the time with a 37% hard-hit rate.

Angels Betting Preview: When's the Season Over?

Since the start of August, the Angels have hit just .211 as a team, which is the second-lowest mark in baseball. They have struck out 25.2% of the time in that span, and hold a hard-hit rate of just 32.5%.

The splits get worse looking at their results versus right-handed pitchers, who have held the Angels to a .190 average and a league-worst wRC+ of 73. They have also struck out 26.6% of the time and hold a wOBA of .272.

In a relatively small sample of 63 innings, Detmers has underachieved his xERA and xFIP by a significant margin, and could be viewed as one of the more unlucky starters in baseball. He has also struggled to a 5.54 ERA in Triple-A however, with a WHIP of 1.39.

Dodgers vs Angels Prediction, Betting Analysis: Buehler Strikeout Prop

Backing the Dodgers at -125 to cover the run line would be my lean in terms of sides and totals, but it's not my favorite bet in the game.

Buehler has failed to record more than 4.5 strikeouts in six straight starts, including all three since returning from the IL. Backing the under looks to be a very trendy play today, but I actually think this is a good spot to buy low and back Buehler to go over 4.5 Ks.

The Angels provide a better-than-average matchup for whiffs, and now Buehler is being allowed to pitch deeper into games again.

Dodgers vs. Angels Pick: Walker Buehler Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-110)

Moneyline History

Run Line (Spread) History

Total (Over/Under) History

• 90% of the bets and 95% of the money are on the Dodgers on the moneyline.
• 57% of the bets and 57% of the money are on the over.
• 94% of the bets and 91% of the money are on the Dodgers to cover the run line.

Dodgers Trends

• The Dodgers are 7-3 straight-up in their last 10 games
• Eight of the last 10 games have gone OVER the total
• The Dodgers are 6-4 in their last ten versus the run line
• The Dodgers have won nine of their last 15 games on the road

Angels Trends

• The Angels are 3-7 straight-up in their last 10 games
• Four of the last 10 games have gone OVER the total
• The Angels are 5-5 versus the run line in their last 10 games
• The Angels have won six of their last 15 games at home

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