August 20, 2025

Game Preview

Written by: Jake Turner

Jake is a veteran sports analyst with over 10 years of MLB prop betting experience.

Dodgers vs Rockies: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 20)

Last updated: August 20, 2025

Game Time: 8/20, 08:40PM

Matchup Setup

The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Coors Field to face the Colorado Rockies in a matchup that sees LA heavily favored. According to DraftKings, the Dodgers are a −313 favorite with 75% of the betting money backing them, while the Rockies are at +245 underdogs. With a dominant pitching performance expected from Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers look to capitalize on their pitching advantage.

Pitcher Breakdown

Pitching Matchup: Shohei Ohtani vs Tanner Gordon

Shohei Ohtani (LAD):

Arsenal: Four-Seam Fastball (45% usage, 98.2 mph), Sweeper (29% usage, 84.7 mph), Slider (11% usage, 87.6 mph), Sinker (7% usage, 96.6 mph), Splitter (4% usage, 91.0 mph), Cutter (3% usage, 93.0 mph), Curveball (2% usage, 76.6 mph).
Interpretation: Ohtani is a velocity-heavy pitcher with a broad mix of pitches, leveraging high velocity and movement to overpower hitters.
Matchup Insight: The Rockies lineup averages .271 this season with a projected xBA of .246 against Ohtani's arsenal, indicating a potential struggle against his elite pitch mix.

Tanner Gordon (COL):

Arsenal: Four-Seam Fastball (41% usage, 91.3 mph), Sweeper (31% usage, 80.7 mph), Curveball (12% usage, 76.5 mph), Sinker (10% usage, 91.6 mph), Changeup (6% usage, 84.4 mph).
Matchup Insight: The Dodgers lineup averages .249 this season but projects to .255 against Gordon's arsenal, suggesting they may have a slight edge against his offerings.

Offensive Breakdown

Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges

For Dodgers vs Tanner Gordon:

Average Comparison: The Dodgers lineup averages .249 this season and projects to .255 vs Gordon's arsenal.
Biggest Increase: Michael Conforto: Season BA .190 → xBA vs arsenal .258 (+68 points), Season K% 24.2% → Arsenal K% 25.7% (+1.5%)
Biggest Decrease: Will Smith: Season BA .302 → xBA vs arsenal .241 (-61 points), Season K% 19.4% → Arsenal K% 23.5% (+4.1%)

For Rockies vs Shohei Ohtani:

Average Comparison: The Rockies lineup averages .271 this season but projects to .246 vs Ohtani's arsenal.
Biggest Increase: Warming Bernabel: Season BA .301 → xBA vs arsenal .333 (+32 points), Season K% 12.8% → Arsenal K% 12.6% (-0.2%)
Biggest Decrease: Kyle Karros: Season BA .250 → xBA vs arsenal .138 (-112 points), Season K% 22.5% → Arsenal K% 35.0% (+12.5%)

Strikeout Trends

Strikeout Risks & Rewards

Dodgers: The Dodgers' projected K-rate is 22.8% vs Gordon — up 1.5% from their 21.3% season average.
Rockies: The Rockies' projected K-rate is 26.3% vs Ohtani — up 2.2% from their 24.1% season average.

Behind the Plate

Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

What to Bet On

📢 Prop Alert: Alex Freeland (.182 → .297, +115 points) meets betting lean criteria!

⚡ K Prop Alert: Shohei Ohtani strikeout OVER - Rockies' K-rate jumps to 26.3% vs this arsenal!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Alex Freeland shows significant batting potential against Tanner Gordon, meeting our betting criteria.
Shohei Ohtani's strikeout potential is high against a Rockies lineup prone to striking out more often against his arsenal.
Umpire assignment remains TBA, adding uncertainty to prop bets.
Dodgers hold a pitching and slight offensive edge, making them strong favorites.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Dodgers vs Rockies game? A: Alex Freeland meets our strict betting criteria with a significant boost in projected performance.

Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

Q: What time is the Dodgers vs Rockies game? A: 8/20, 08:40PM

---

Want more of our best props and betting analysis? Click below and join insider bets!

See all our best bets daily!

---