The Los Angeles Dodgers will host their biggest rivals to begin the 2018 campaign Thursday, with the San Francisco Giants visiting Chavez Ravine as huge road underdogs at the sportsbooks for this National League West matchup.

The Dodgers are coming off their first World Series appearance since 1988, losing to the Houston Astros 4-3, while the Giants tied for MLB's worst record at 64-98.

MLB betting line: The Dodgers opened as -275 favorites (wager $275 to win $100); the total is at seven runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.8-1.0, Dodgers. MLB picks on every game.

Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.

Why the Giants Can Pay on the MLB Lines

With ace Madison Bumgarner shelved for six to eight weeks with a fractured left hand, lefty Ty Blach will get the start for San Francisco on Opening Day. Blach went 8-12 last season with a 4.78 ERA in 34 games (24 starts) as a rookie, and he figures to improve during his second season.

Blach did pitch well in five appearances (three starts) versus Los Angeles last year, going 1-2 with a 3.20 ERA. The Dodgers hit just .263 against him, and he went 3-for-5 from the plate when facing L.A.'s Clayton Kershaw with a double. Blach also went 1-1 this spring with a 3.63 ERA in 17.1 innings.

Why the Dodgers Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Kershaw is the obvious choice for the Dodgers here, and why not? He was outstanding again last season in leading them to the World Series, going 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 175 innings. Against the Giants in 2017, Kershaw went 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA in five starts. San Francisco hit just .260 and struck out 29 times in 34 innings.

Los Angeles won last year's regular-season series, taking eight of the final 10 meetings after losing six of the first nine, according to the OddsShark MLB Database.

Smart Betting Pick

The previous four games between the teams have all gone under the total—as did three of the first four a year ago. Only one of those eight games had as many as seven runs, and Kershaw was involved in two of those that finished below the total. In what should be another low-scoring affair, bet the under in this rivalry again with confidence.

MLB Betting Trends

San Francisco is 1-4 in its past five games against the Dodgers.

The total has gone under in four of San Francisco's past five games against the Dodgers.

The total has gone under in five of San Francisco's past five games on the road against the Dodgers.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.