2021 MLB playoffs: Dodgers vs. Giants odds, NLDS Game 1 picks, predictions, best bets from expert on 35-18 run

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants is one of the most intense in all of sports and has existed for more than 130 years, dating back to when both franchises were located in New York City. The Dodgers have won the most National League pennants at 24, while the Giants are right on their heels with 23. Throughout their storied rivalry, however, the NL West archenemies never met in the postseason. That changes on Friday, as Los Angeles (106-56) visits division champion San Francisco (107-55) for Game 1 of their 2021 best-of-five NL Division Series.

First pitch in this 2021 MLB playoffs matchup at Oracle Park is scheduled for 9:37 p.m. ET. Los Angeles, which went 9-10 in the season series, sends Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA) to the mound against fellow right-hander Logan Webb (11-3, 3.03). Los Angeles is the -115 favorite (risk $115 to win $100) on the money line in the latest Dodgers vs. Giants odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total runs scored is seven. Before making any Giants vs. Dodgers picks, you need to see what SportsLine MLB expert Larry Hartstein has to say.

Hartstein, SportsLine's senior analyst and an Early Edge podcast regular, is a blistering 86-59 in his last 145 MLB picks, returning more than $1,300. He is also 41-20 in his last 61 MLB picks overall. In addition, Hartstein has an amazing 35-18 record on his last 53 picks involving Los Angeles, returning more than $1,700. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, Hartstein has dialed in on Dodgers vs. Giants and just released his picks and analysis. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the MLB odds and betting lines for Giants vs. Dodgers:
• LA: The Dodgers are 13-4 in their last 17 NLDS games
• SF: The Giants are 12-3 in their last 15 home postseason contests



Why you should back the Dodgers

Chris Taylor struggled mightily at the plate down the stretch, batting .122 over his final 22 regular-season games. But he put all that behind him Wednesday with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave Los Angeles a 3-1 victory over St. Louis in the NL Wild Card Game. Meanwhile, Trea Turner, who led the major leagues with a .328 batting average, has hit safely in 20 consecutive games after going 2-for-4 against the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old second baseman, who was acquired from Washington along with Max Scherzer at the July 30 trade deadline, has been held without a hit in only two of his last 38 contests. Buehler had a superb year on the mound, as he led the major leagues with 27 quality starts and set career highs in both victories and ERA. The 27-year-old went 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA in six turns against San Francisco this season and is 7-1 with a 2.55 mark in 13 career outings, including two in relief, versus the club.

Why you should back the Giants

San Francisco also is on a roll, as it won eight of its last nine regular-season games and 12 of its final 15. The Giants posted the second-best home record in the majors this year, going 54-27 at Oracle Park, and led the NL with a franchise-record 241 home runs while ranking second in runs (804), ERA (3.24), hits (1,360) and batting average (,249). Brandon Crawford has not slowed down with age, as the 34-year-old shortstop set career highs with 24 homers and a team-leading 90 RBIs.

Webb's first full season in the majors was a strong one as he won his final 10 decisions after losing at Colorado on May 5. The 24-year-old has gone 20 consecutive starts without a defeat, which matches the second-longest such streak in franchise history and is two behind the record set by Carl Hubbard from 1936-37. Webb, who has posted a 2.40 ERA during his unbeaten run, went 1-0 with a 2.25 mark in three turns against Los Angeles this year.

How to make Dodgers vs. Giants picks

Hartstein is leaning under on the run total and has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the money line. He's sharing that Dodgers vs. Giants prediction only at SportsLine.

So who wins Giants vs. Dodgers in Game 1 of their 2021 NL Division Series? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the money line a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the money line to jump on, all from the Los Angeles expert who's brought in over $1,700 to $100 players, and find out.