The Dodgers host the Athletics on May 15, 2025. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on SportsNet LA and MLB.TV.
It's been an impressive start to the season for the Athletics, who will have the opportunity to grab a series win at Dodger Stadium Thursday when Osvaldo Bido (4.75 ERA, 41 2/3 IP) takes on Matt Sauer (1.54 ERA, 11 2/3 IP).
Find my Athletics vs Dodgers prediction and MLB betting preview below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
Athletics vs Dodgers Prediction
- Athletics vs Dodgers Pick: Both Teams to Score 4+ Runs (+130 via Fanatics · Play to +104)
My Dodgers vs. Athletics best bet is on both teams to score 4 runs. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Athletics vs Dodgers Odds
| Athletics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -120 | 10 -105o / -115u | +165 |
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +100 | 10 -105o / -115u | -200 |
Athletics vs Dodgers Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Osvaldo Bido (OAK) | Stat | RHP Matt Sauer (LAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | W-L | 1-0 |
| -0.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.4 |
| 4.75/4.74 | ERA /xERA | 1.54/2.64 |
| 5.91/5.60 | FIP / xFIP | 1.99/2.85 |
| 1.51 | WHIP | 0.86 |
| 5.9 | K-BB% | 16.7 |
| 29.8 | GB% | 57.6 |
| 95 | Stuff+ | 101 |
| 95 | Location+ | 93 |
Athletics vs Dodgers MLB Betting Preview
Athletics Betting Preview: Strong Offense, Shaky Pitching
The Athletics had a quietly strong finish to the 2024 season at the plate. In the second half, they held the eighth-ranked wRC+ at 107. Their talented young core has continued to take steps forward this season offensively, as they once again hold the eighth-best wRC+ mark at 112.
They have hit to a wRC+ of 110 against right-handed pitchers and rank eighth with a hard-hit rate of 32.5%.
The addition of top prospect Nick Kurtz has boosted their offensive upside against righties compared to earlier in the year as well. In 18 games, he has slugged .469 with an .858 OPS against RHPs.
While their offense has been quietly strong dating back to last June, the Athletics' pitching staff hasn't been very effective this season after it was projected to be a weakness. They rank 25th in ERA at 4.84 and hold an xFIP of 4.62.
Bido's underlying results suggest he's deserving of a 4.75 ERA, as he holds an xERA of 4.73 and an xFIP of 5.60. His K-BB% has plummeted to 5.9 compared to last season, and he's still been hit hard 39.7% of the time. He also holds a Stuff+ rating of 95 and a Pitching+ rating of 91.
Bido has also pitched to slightly worse results more recently. Over his last five starts, he holds a 5.74 ERA and 5.90 xFIP.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview: Still the Powerhouse to Beat
The Dodgers haven't missed a beat after their convincing World Series title. Their offensive play has been as dominant as expected, considering the talent and salary compiled on the team.
They have hit to a wRC+ of 127 and have slugged .471 as a team while ranking fourth in runs scored per game this season.
They rank second in wRC+ against right-handed pitching and have the lowest soft-contact rate in baseball vs. RHPs.
However, they'll take the field without one key bat, as Teoscar Hernandez is sidelined with a groin injury. He is expected to return relatively soon, though.
In a small sample of 11 2/3 innings pitched, Sauer has made the most of his opportunities to pitch at the big-league level, posting a 1.54 ERA. The bulk of those innings came in two outings against the lowly Miami Marlins, in which he allowed just one earned run across nine innings combined.
Last season, Sauer held a 7.71 ERA and 5.78 xERA across 16 1/3 innings of work with the Kansas City Royals. Based on pitch metrics, he's pitching at a higher level this season (95 Pitching+ rating) but is still likely to trend toward being a league-average arm over a larger sample of work.
The Dodgers' bullpen ranks 15th in the league with a 3.81 ERA this season, but it does hold the top-ranked xFIP at 3.46.
Athletics vs Dodgers Pick, Betting Analysis
The Athletics offense has been in great form dating all the way back to last June. That's the greatest reason they're hanging around in the Wild Card race.
Sauer still looks likely to post below-average results moving forward, so the A's should have a great chance of putting together another productive day at the plate early in this matchup.
Bido has had a highly unconvincing start to the season, and it's hard to imagine him managing an overly effective start against a red-hot Dodgers lineup.
The A's bullpen has also struggled this season, and expecting at least four runs from the Dodgers here appears to be a pretty safe bet — especially as Dodger Stadium should offer batter-friendly conditions in tonight's matchup with winds blowing straight out to center field.
There's value in backing both teams to score four runs or more at +130, and I would bet it down to +104.
Pick: Both Teams to Score 4+ Runs (+130 · Play to +104)
Moneyline
At a price of +170, my lean would actually be with the Athletics in terms of a side, as their quietly excellent offense should have a good chance of putting together a solid performance against a starter who appears to be overvalued in Sauer.
Run Line (Spread)
If I were forced to bet the run-line, it would be backing the Athletics +1.5, but at the time of writing, I'm only betting on both teams to score four runs.
Over/Under
Betting the game to feature over 9.5 runs at -125 looks to provide some value, but I prefer the +114 price tag for both teams to score four.
