The Los Angeles Dodgers ( 24-15, $186 ) have been cruising along atop the NL West, but have hit a bit of a road bump of late, losing five of their last seven games heading into Thursday.
The San Diego Padres ( 20-21, -$216 ) will look to take advantage as they get set for a weekend series, including an evening game on Saturday.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Dodgers have thrived at home and will be happy to be back this weekend to take on the Padres after a disappointing series in San Francisco. Los Angeles is 17-5 at home and 4-2 against the Padres this season.
While Los Angeles has struggled a bit lately, so have the Padres who have dropped below-.500 after going just 3-6 over their last nine games. San Diego is also now without Wil Myers who is on the disabled list and a key part to the lineup, with a .291 average and five home runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
On the mound, experience favors the Padres, but recent success leans towards the Dodgers as Ian Kennedy and Mike Bolsinger matchup.
Kennedy has had a rough start to the year with a 2-3 record and 6.75 ERA over six starts and 29 1/3 innings. He missed a couple starts early with injury and has yet to get back on track.
In his first game back on April 25, he allowed eight runs and was unable to get out of the fifth. He then rebounded with a couple good starts, but has reverted back of late, allowing 11 runs in nine and two-thirds innings over his last two starts.
While Kennedy has struggled, Bolsinger has pitched well in his three starts filling in for injuries in the Dodgers’ rotation.
The 27-year old had only 52 1/3 innings of major league experience before this season, but has grasped his chance. He is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA and 1.096 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings pitching well against San Francisco, Miami and Colorado. Before the call up, he had four starts and 19 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City of the Pacific Coast League, going 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 0.947 WHIP.
QUOTE TO NOTE
After his last start, manager Don Mattingly had nothing but good things to say about Bolsinger, saying:
“Mike is more of a finesse guy, but he’s a guy who can really spin a breaking ball. And, he can do a lot with it. He’s able to pitch off of it. He doesn’t get into a lot of trouble.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
Only the Nationals have scored more runs than the Dodgers amongst NL clubs this season. Los Angeles boasts one of the most versatile line ups in the game, even with Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford on the disabled list.
Andre Either has really stepped up with regular at bats, again, with a .943 OPS while Scott Van Slyke ( .818 OPS ) and rookie Joc Pederson ( .919 OPS ) have more then held their own in the outfield.
In fact, Pederson leads the team in home runs with 10 and is second in RBIs ( 21 ) and total bases ( 65 ) to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez ( 1.075 OPS ) who is off to a career year of his own.
Justin Turner ( .981 OPS ) and Alex Guerrero ( .990 OPS ) are two other reasons the lineup is so deep and flexible. The pair have been primarily bench bats, but can spell Juan Uribe at third. Only he and Jimmy Rollins are hitting below league average and Uribe has already lost a lot of playing time as a result.
The Padres, meanwhile, are much improved offensively from where they were a year ago, but the losses of Yonder Alonso ( .864 OPS ) and Wil Myers ( .833 OPS ) to injury hurts. Matt Kemp’s struggles ( .649 OPS ) have not helped either, though playing his former team may just be the spark he needs.
Of course, struggles aside, the Padres do have the ability to score in bunches. Justin Upton ( .908 OPS ) has led San Diego in most offensive categories with 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and 83 total bases. Derek Norris ( .804 OPS ), Will Venable ( .774 OPS ) and Yangervis Solarte ( .726 OPS ) have also been useful pieces.
PROP TALK
If you are looking for someone to collect a few hits or hit one out, look no further than Either. The outfielder is thriving now that he is back in an everyday role and he has the experience against Kennedy to help.
In 36 at bats against Kennedy, Either has 13 hits including three doubles and three home runs. He has also added four walks to post a 1.119 OPS.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
San Diego made a lot of moves in the offseason, including acquiring Craig Kimbrel to close out games, but the Padres’ bullpen was better a year ago and is second from last in the league with a 4.58 ERA.
That is a big difference from the Dodgers’ 2.63 bullpen ERA. Add that to a starter coming off three straight dominant outings and a lineup scoring more than any other team outside of Washington in the National League and I am going to back the Dodgers confidently on Saturday night.
Los Angeles 7, San Diego 4
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 10:10 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
