WS Game 2 betting preview: Expect runs as Snell opposes Dodgers' bullpen

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We carried our winning momentum from the championship series into the start of the Fall Classic, easily cashing the over in Game 1.

Here's what's on tap for Game 2.

Rays (+150) at Dodgers (-170), 8:08 p.m. ET

Looking to claw back in the series, the Rays turn to southpaw Blake Snell in Game 2. Snell seemed to solve his home run issues from the divisional round, where he allowed three in five innings against the Yankees, surrendering just one in nine during the ALCS. His walk rate is still uncharacteristically high in these playoffs, jumping from 3.24 in the regular season to 4.58, but Snell excels against lefties, holding them to just a .217 average and .234 OBP in the regular season. That bodes well against two of the Dodgers' most lethal hitters, Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger.

The true strength of this Dodgers lineup, though, is that it doesn't strike out often, so it will be interesting to see how Snell and his impressive 31% K rate and 34% whiff rate fare. Tyler Glasnow flashed his swing-and-miss stuff Tuesday, striking out eight in four innings, but his home run issues reared their ugly head again, and he ran into all sorts of trouble in the fifth inning, his third time through the order. That's cause for concern for Snell, as Glasnow limited hitters to a .171/.205/.317 slash line his third time facing them this season, whereas Snell allowed a .304/.304/609 line in those circumstances.

Tony Gonsolin gets the start for the Dodgers in what will be more of a bullpen game for them. If Gonsolin can get through four innings, Dave Roberts will be happy. It's been a rough postseason for the right-hander, who's allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings thus far, including a pair of home runs. He was terrific at suppressing power during the regular season, though, surrendering just a 0.39 HR/9 rate. It would serve him well to find that again Wednesday night, as the Rays have done the bulk of their damage in the postseason via the long ball.

Like Snell, command has been an issue for Gonsolin in these playoffs, as he's issued six free passes in his two outings thus far, with his walk rate jumping to 8.53 after posting a 1.35 mark in the regular season. However, he faces a Tampa lineup that can be quite aggressive at the plate - only the Tigers posted a higher K% than the Rays this season - which may help his cause.

Who will follow Gonsolin out of the bullpen, though? It's been an area of concern for the Dodgers. Dustin May is in line for a couple innings of work, and that's where the Rays can do some damage. The 23-year-old allowed a much higher 1.45 HR/9 rate during the regular season and gives up a ton of contact despite throwing as fast as he does, with just a 19.2 whiff rate. He allowed five hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings in the NLCS, so there will certainly be opportunities in this game for the Rays to get their lineup going.

There's a lean to Tampa here with the Dodgers having to mix and match from a pen that hasn't inspired plenty of confidence this season. But Snell hasn't been quite himself of late, and against a lineup of this quality, I'd rather roll with the over once again in a pivotal Game 2.

Pick: Over 8 (-115)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.