Skip to main content

Mets vs. Dodgers Prediction, Picks & Odds for NLCS Game 1

Mike Spector

Last Updated: October 13, 2024 5:00 AM EDT • 2 min 44 sec read.

Los Angeles Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani fouls in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres. We're backing LA in our Mets vs. Dodgers prediction.
Los Angeles Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani fouls in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea via Imagn Images.

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers look to claim the first victory of this best-of-seven NLCS when they meet on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.

  • The Dodgers are appearing in their sixth NLCS in the last nine seasons and are the World Series odds favorites
  • Los Angeles became the first NL team that earned a bye to the NLDS to win a series under the new format since 2022
  • The Mets are 5-3 in eight NLCS appearances, with their last coming in 2015

Our Mets vs. Dodgers prediction expects Los Angeles to ride its hot pitching streak to a Game 1 victory.

Mets vs. Dodgers predictions: Game 1

  • Moneyline pick: Dodgers () ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • My best bet: Shohei Ohtani Under 0.5 walks () ⭐⭐⭐⭐

MLB odds via our best MLB betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

Who will win Visitor vs. Host?

First pitch: 8:15 p.m. ET, Dodger Stadium 

Dodgers to win (-155) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -155 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 60.78%

New York’s 70-40 record entering the NLCS is the best in the majors since June 3, and it has a +127 run differential in that span. But Los Angeles overcame a myriad of injuries to win 98 games in the regular season, and the hot streak its pitching staff is on is too great to ignore.

Per , the Dodgers were the third team ever to throw back-to-back shutouts in postseason elimination games. And even though Jack Flaherty started one of the games the Dodgers lost in the NLCS, Los Angeles went 13-5 in his prior 18 starts. 

New York’s pitching staff had something to do with it, but the Mets were fortunate that Phillies hitters outside of Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos went a combined 13-for-100 with one extra-base hit in the NLDS.

LA’s league-leading wRC+ and wOBA should put pressure on Kodai Senga and the Mets bullpen in ways that the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies did not in the previous two series.

DraftKings is the only one of our top sports betting sites offering better than -160 odds to back the home favorites. A potential $10 winning wager at its -155 odds would pay a $6.45 profit.

See the rest of our MLB picks.

Bet $5, Get $150 + $1K Deposit Bonus

Terms and conditions apply.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

My Mets vs. Dodgers best bet

Our NEW MLB player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Shohei Ohtani Under 0.5 walks ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The odds for Shohei Ohtani to draw at least one walk in this matchup is juiced to -125 at DraftKings despite the slugger walking twice in five games in the NLDS.

Ohtani struck out in half of his 20 at-bats against the Padres, and I expect that high strikeout rate will force him to be more aggressive early so that he avoids two-strike counts.

With this wager, there is always the fear that Ohtani could cash the Over via an intentional walk. However, that is less likely with an eight-time All Star and former MVP in Mookie Betts protecting him in the lineup.

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

Mets vs. Dodgers odds & Game 1 info

  • When: Sunday, Oct. 13
  • First pitch: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
  • How to watch: FOX
  • Favorite: Dodgers (-155 via DraftKings)

MLB betting odds pages

Here are our best MLB betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Related pages

Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”