Dodgers vs. Rays prediction and odds for Friday, May 26 (Bet on Los Angeles)

The Los Angeles Dodgers just got finished with a series against the best team in the National League, the Atlanta Braves, and now they're set to begin a series against the best team in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Noah Syndergaard (5.88 ERA) will get the start for the Dodgers and he'll face lefty opener, Jalen Beeks, of the Rays.

Let's dive in the odds for tonight's series opener and then I'll give you my best bet for the game.

Dodgers vs. Rays odds, run line, and total

Dodgers vs. Rays prediction and pick

It may be tough to bet on the Dodgers when you see Noah Syndergaard, with his 5.88 ERA, is starting, but I think he's been pitching better than his ERA may indicate. He comes into the game with a 4.44 FIP (Field Independent Pitching) which usually indicates we're about to see some positive regression from him.

The main reason you should bet on the Dodgers in this spot is due to who the Rays will be putting out to pitch. Ever since running into some injury issues with their rotation, the Rays have turned to their bullpen more often than they'd like. Today, Jalen Beeks will serve as the opener in another bullpen game for them.

As a result, no team in the month of May has more innings pitched by their relievers than the Rays and the results haven't been good. They have a bullpen ERA of 6.56 this month, which is the second worst mark in MLB over that stretch.

That's not going to get the job done against a potent Dodgers offense.

I'll take LA on the moneyline in this spot.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.