The Los Angeles Dodgers open a road series against the New York Mets on Friday, July 24, with an intriguing pitching matchup featuring right-hander Roki Sasaki and left-hander Sean Manaea. Sportsbooks have installed the Dodgers as modest road favorites, with the total hovering around nine runs. Recent reports list Sasaki and Manaea as the probable starters for this matchup.

Best Bet: Dodgers Moneyline

The Dodgers remain one of baseball’s deepest and most consistent lineups. Even when facing quality left-handed pitching, Los Angeles features elite hitters capable of producing throughout the batting order. Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts provide a dangerous combination of power, patience, and run production that gives the Dodgers an edge in nearly every matchup.

Sasaki has continued to show why he is considered one of baseball’s premier young pitchers. His electric fastball and devastating splitter generate swings and misses, giving him the ability to escape difficult situations with strikeouts. If he limits walks early, the Dodgers should control the game behind both their starter and reliable bullpen.

Best Player Prop: Roki Sasaki Over Strikeouts

Strikeout props often provide excellent betting value when an elite swing-and-miss pitcher takes the mound. Sasaki possesses the arsenal to overpower hitters, particularly against a Mets lineup that has struggled with offensive consistency at times this season. If he works into the sixth inning, surpassing his strikeout total is a realistic expectation.

Monitor the posted number before placing your wager, but any reasonable strikeout line deserves consideration given Sasaki’s upside.

Best Total Bet: Under 9 Runs

Although both offenses feature talented hitters, this matchup has several characteristics that favor the under. Manaea has the experience to keep hitters off balance with his mix of pitches, while Sasaki has the pure stuff to limit hard contact.

If both starters pitch into the middle innings, the game could become a battle between two quality bullpens. Unless defensive mistakes or home runs dramatically alter the scoring, a lower-scoring contest appears to offer value.

Betting Outlook

Los Angeles enters this matchup as the stronger overall club, combining superior offensive depth with an advantage on the mound. While Manaea is capable of delivering a quality start for New York, the Dodgers have more ways to manufacture runs and consistently pressure opposing pitchers.

Best Bets:

• Dodgers Moneyline
• Roki Sasaki Over Strikeouts
• Under 9 Total Runs

As always, compare odds across sportsbooks before placing wagers, since even small differences in pricing can improve long-term betting value. Betting lines and player props may also move closer to first pitch as lineup and weather information becomes available.