The Los Angeles Dodgers’ losing woes continued on Thursday as they suffered a humiliating three-game sweep at the hands of rivals San Francisco Giants. They will look to get their season back on track later tonight when they take on the San Diego Padres in the opening game of their three-game set.
Who will grab the advantage in this NL West matchup? Read on below for a breakdown of this series opener and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between St. Louis and Kansas City here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
When: Friday, May 22, 10:10 PM ET
Line: San Diego Padres (+150) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-170); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres stumbled to their second consecutive defeat with a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night. The Padres had a tough time solving the pitching of Kyle Hendricks who recorded a five-hitter for his first career complete game and shutout. Hendricks struck out seven batters and allowed no walks.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Such was his dominance in the game that only one Padres baserunner was able to advance to second base. It won’t get any easier for the Padres tonight as standing in their way is the solid Zack Greinke. The Padres are 2-6 against the Dodgers in the games that Greinke have started.
With their offense in disarray right now, the onus is on Andrew Cashner (1-7, 3.24 ERA) to provide a solid start for San Diego tonight. He’s posted a 3.55 ERA in his last five starts, all resulting in losses. But he hasn’t been helped by the fact that Padres have provided a total of just four runs in Cashner’s last five outings.
Expected to lead the Padres’ offense in this series opener against the Dodgers are Clint Barmes, Justin Upton and Matt Kemp. Barmes has fared exceptionally well against Greinke in the past, going 7-of-16 (.438) lifetime against the right-hander. Upton has had some success against Greinke as well, hitting 8-of-20 with a home run while Kemp is 3-of-10 with two walks.
The Padres are 4-6 in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers’ offensive woes continued on Thursday as Los Angeles suffered a 4-0 defeat to the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers simply had no answer for Madison Bumgarner who homered and pitched 6.1 solid innings.
It was the third straight time that the Dodgers have been shut out in a game. The last time that occurred was back in June 2012 when they were blanked by the same team, the Giants. San Francisco outscored Los Angeles in the three-game series, 10-0. The Dodgers haven’t scored in 31 innings.
With the Dodgers’ offense struggling mightily right now, the pressure is on Zack Greinke to deliver a great start tonight. Greinke has been phenomenal for the Dodgers this season, posting a 5-1 record with an incredible 1.52 ERA. He was solid in his last outing against the Colorado Rockies, allowing just one earned run on four hits in six innings of action. Unfortunately, the Dodgers weren’t able to provide some run support as they lost for the first time in Greinke’s last seven starts.
Greinke will fancy his chances of getting the victory tonight as he has fared extremely well against the Padres this season. In two meetings against San Diego this season, Greinke has allowed just one earned run in 13 innings. He was tremendous in his last start against the Padres, throwing seven shutout innings in Los Angeles’ 3-0 win on April 24.
He can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Dodgers’ offense to wake up from their slumber. One guy who’s expected to contribute tonight is Howie Kendrick. The 31-year-old has been sizzling at the plate for the Dodgers, going 8-for-23 in his last six games. He is 4-for-9 (.444) lifetime against San Diego’s scheduled starter Andrew Cashner.
The Dodgers are 7-3 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Dodgers (-170) win, 6-3.
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