Game Overview
The Dodgers took Game 1 of the series with a 7-2 victory, led by Shohei Ohtani’s MLB-leading 19th home run and a dominant pitching performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Cleveland will look to bounce back and even the series, relying on their home-field advantage, where they have gone 14-9 this season.
Starting Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | Dustin May (RHP) | 2-4 | 4.09 | 1.32 | 48 |
| Guardians | Tanner Bibee (RHP) | 4-4 | 3.57 | 1.18 | 55 |
May has struggled with consistency but has the ability to generate ground balls and limit hard contact. Bibee, on the other hand, has been Cleveland’s most reliable starter, posting a 3.57 ERA while striking out 55 batters.
Team Comparisons
| Category | Dodgers | Guardians |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 33-21 | 29-24 |
| Runs Per Game | 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Batting Average | .261 | .245 |
| Home Runs | 72 | 49 |
| ERA | 4.12 | 3.55 |
| Bullpen ERA | 3.22 | 3.44 |
The Dodgers have been one of the best offensive teams in MLB, ranking second in Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) at 124, while Cleveland has relied more on pitching and defense.
Key Players to Watch
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Shohei Ohtani (DH) – 19 HR, 33 RBI, .312 AVG.
- Freddie Freeman (1B) – 12 HR, 40 RBI, .325 AVG.
- Will Smith (C) – 2 HR, 7 RBI in his last 10 games.
Cleveland Guardians
- José Ramírez (3B) – 9 HR, 26 RBI, .285 AVG.
- Steven Kwan (OF) – 137 wRC+, key contact hitter.
- Carlos Santana (1B) – 2 HR, 8 RBI in his last 10 games.
Matchup Breakdown
- Dodgers’ Power vs. Guardians’ Pitching – Los Angeles leads MLB in home runs (72), while Cleveland’s pitching staff ranks 7th in bullpen ERA (3.44).
- Guardians’ Contact Hitting vs. Dodgers’ Defense – Cleveland has a 19-10 record when recording at least eight hits, but Los Angeles is 25-4 when they out-hit their opponents.
- Bullpen Battle – The Dodgers’ bullpen has been elite (3.22 ERA), while Cleveland’s relievers have also been solid (3.44 ERA).
Game Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers – 125
Cleveland Guardians 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, May 26, 2025
