All hell broke loose the last time Zack Greinke and Ian Kennedy (then with Arizona) faced each other. Both pitchers cross paths again tonight when the Dodgers aim to bounce back from a disappointing loss to San Diego despite a superb outing by Hyun-Jin Ryu. Can the preseason favorite Dodgers even the series, or will the Padres repeat over LA?
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
Where: Petco Park, San Diego
When: Tuesday, April 1, 8:10PM ET
Line: LA Dodgers (-140) at San Diego Padres (+130); total 6.5 – view lines here
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
[sc:MLB240banner ]After a 2-0 start to their season in Australia, the Dodgers suffered their first defeat last night, losing 3-1 on the road against San Diego.
Reliever Brian Wilson wasted starter Hyun-Jin Ryu’s seven scoreless innings by giving up three runs in the eighth. Until that point, the Dodgers had had a one-run lead on Carl Crawford’s single RBI in the fifth, which drove in Dee Gordon. The Dodgers lineup had a tough time last night, hitting 4 for 31 from the plate.
The Dodgers get another crack at San Diego later with Zack Greinke (2011-2013: 1.80 ERA, 2-0 W-L vs. San Diego) on the mound. Greinke has been superb against the Padres throughout his career. In fact, the Dodgers are 4-0 in his last four starts against San Diego. Including his days as a pitcher for Milwaukee, Greinke’s teams have won in all his five starts against the Padres.
Betting on the San Diego Padres
Not exactly a team to be reckoned with in the NL West, the Padres nonetheless are off to a great start after beating the defending division titlist Dodgers in their season opener, 3-1.
Seth Smith hit a game-tying home run in the eighth inning off Dodgers’ reliever Brian Wilson, before Chris Denorfia followed it up with a two-run RBI single in the same inning. Closer Huston Street preserved the lead in the ninth to get his first save of the season, and secured win no. 1 for starter Andrew Cashner.
Set to duel with Greinke tonight is Ian Kennedy (4.91 ERA, 7-10 W-L in 2013). San Diego has a formidable 4-1 record in his last five starts. The total has gone over in Kennedy’s last two starts.
Prediction
The Dodgers and Padres don’t like scoring. The total has gone under in their last six meetings at the pitcher-friendly Petco Park. Take the game to go under 6.5.
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