We went 2-1 yesterday with the Mariners and Angels picks. That puts our weekly record at at 9-6 and our win total is $20.90, with imaginary $10 bets on each wager. Today’s random game is keeping us out west for the L.A. Dodgers (63-45) vs. San Diego (54-56).
The Pitchers
Despite being just 8-8 on the season, Blake Snell has a decent 2.5 ERA. With three wins in his last five starts, Snell is on a bit of a hot streak in which he’s allowing just 0.4 earned runs per game during that span, compared to 35 strikeouts. His last two starts (Pittsburgh, July 25 & Texas, July 30) have been wins.
The Dodgers are putting Michael Grove (2-3, 6.75 ERA) up against Snell with the hope that he can hold off San Diego’s offense until the Padres have to move to the bullpen. Grove struck out ten batters in his last start but he also surrendered eight runs. Over the last five starts he’s allowed and average of 3.2 earned runs per game but the L.A. offense has powered its way to two wins over that stretch.
The Lineups
The Dodgers are led by Mookie Betts’ 29 home runs and Freddie Freeman’s .338 batting average and 76 RBI. Christ Taylor (3rd base) has knocked three career home runs against Snell and six of L.A.’s nine batters haver recorded multiple hits off of him. The Dodgers have scored 35 runs in the last five games.
The Padres have a duo of offensive leaders with Juan Soto leading the team in home runs (24) and RBI (71), while Ha-Seon Kim leads in batting average (.287). San Diego has scored 32 runs over the last five games. No batter in the lineup has faced Grove before.
The Streaks
The Dodgers have won four games in a row, while San Diego’s Friday night loss to L.A. snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Odds
Padres -1.5
Padres -155 on the moneyline
O/U 9
I think this will be a fun game that where the Padres ultimately come out on top. Starting pitching will heavily favor San Diego but the bullpens will allow the Dodgers to make it close later on. I like L.A. getting +1.5 runs but I like the Padres on the moneyline. The O/U was at 8.5 when I started writing this article. I was going to pick the over for the first time this week but, with the half a point jump to nine, I think I’ll go with the under.
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