Two of the best pitchers in all of baseball are going to be going up against each other for the second time in as many starts on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers (11-7, +1.93 Units) and Clayton Kershaw got bested by the San Francisco Giants (8-11, -4.39 Units) and Madison Bumgarner last Wednesday, but they'll look for revenge on Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Giants were actually underdogs in all three games against the Dodgers last week in spite of the fact that the games were played at home. In the Kershaw vs. Bumgarner duel, the boys in blue were -139 favorites. Bumgarner and the Giants were +129 that night, the biggest underdogs they have been with their ace on the mound in his last 26 starts.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Of course, one raw look at the numbers for Bumgarner and Kershaw suggest that this isn't a big deal of a matchup. After all, Kershaw has a 4.07 ERA this season, while Bumgarner is on a 4.63 ERA.
However, we know that these two men can flat out deal when they are running hot.
Kershaw is a strikeout machine, as he has punched out eight men in 12 of his last 13 starts dating back to last season. He had nine strikeouts in just six frames against the Giants last week.
Bumgarner turned in a good start against the Dodgers, allowing just two runs over 6.1 innings, but he labored to the tune of 109 pitches to get that far.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I get tired of going six innings… I understand, but I want to get deeper in the game. It's frustrating leaving that many innings to your bullpen." – Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw after tossing just six innings against the Giants last week, his sixth straight start in which he failed to complete seven frames
SITUATIONAL BETTING
If you're the Giants, you have to be wondering why your closer leads your team in wins. Santiago Casilla just hasn't been great nailing down games this season. He only has one blown save, but he also has three outings in which he has given up at least a run. He has tossed at least 16 pitches in half of his outings, which isn't characteristic for a guy who throws heaters up there on 90 percent of his pitches.
PROP TALK
Buster Posey had one of his best games of the season on Saturday, as he had a pair of hits for the Giants. However, he only has three extra base hits all season long, and he is going up against a man who he has had no luck in his career against on Tuesday night. Stay away from him at all costs with your prop bets.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
Round 1 went to the Giants, and Round 2 is going to as well. We just think there is going to be a tremendous amount of value in playing on Bumgarner as perhaps a +160 underdog against Kershaw. There isn't a man or a situation in the game in which we wouldn't take Bumgarner in that spot.
The Dodgers haven't exactly been tearing the cover off of the ball either. They have scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five, and without Yasiel Puig in the lineup, this is a really bad time to be running into the Mad Bum.
San Francisco 4, Los Angeles 2
BookMaker will be the first sportsbook to send out the baseball odds for this marquee matchup. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and winning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
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