The Los Angeles Dodgers are still considered a team that can win vs. the odds at the sportsbook website. The Dodgers picked up pitcher Ted Lilly and infielder Ryan Theriot from the Chicago Cubs at the trading deadline. Sportsbook odds list the Dodgers as long shots to win the World Series at 24-1.
Sportsbook website odds on the Dodgers could get a boost by the addition of Lilly. The Dodgerrs starting pitching rotation has had some problems this year and Lilly could be a major addition. The Dodgers sent infielder Blake DeWitt and prospects Brett Wallach and Kyle Smit to the Cubs in the trade.
Lilly is only 3-8 this season but he has a very good ERA. He has not gotten any run support. In fact, he has the second worst run support of any starting pitcher in the league. In his 17 starts vs. the sportsbook odds, the Cubs only scored more than two runs three times.
The addition of Theriot should also not be overlooked for the Dodgers. He is expected to take over the starting second base job. He was hitting .284 with the Cubs. The Dodgerss offense has been nothing special this season as they are 18th in the league in runs scored.
The Dodgers pitching has been just average this season and that is one reason they are well back of the Padres and Giants in the National League West. They are 13th in the league in ERA this season. Lilly could help them in that regard. The Dodgers also made another deal as they picked up reliever Octavio Dotel from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers gave up a lot to get Dotel as they gave up reliever James McDonald and top prospect Andrew Lambo. Dotel has a 4.28 ERA in 41 appearances this season. He had 21 saves for Pittsburgh this season but he was oftentimes inconsistent. McDonald was once a top prospect for the Dodgers but has had not really delivered. Lambo was a top prospect as well but he was suspended for 50 games earlier this season under baseball’s Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was hitting .271 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 47 games for Double-A Chattanooga.