Friday, August 7, 2015

PNC Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw (9-6) vs. Gerrit Cole (14-5)

The Los Angeles Dodgers head to PNC Park on Friday to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers send Clayton Kershaw to the mound to face Gerrit Cole of the Pirates. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at -137 and Pittsburgh at +127. The over/under was set at 6. The Dodgers have a 51-51 over/under record and a 47-60 run line mark, meaning they cover 48% of the time. The Pirates have a 46-50 over/under record and a 45-61 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 43% of the time.

The Dodgers show up with a 61-46 record, including 24-28 on the road. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw holds a 9-6 record with an earned run average of 2.37 and a WHIP of 0.91. In his starts, the Dodgers are 12-9 over his 148 innings pitched this season while giving up 107 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Dodgers are 8-12 in his starts. He is getting 3.9 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 281 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 3.99. The bullpen has struck out 340 and walked 106 batters this season while opposing teams hit .241 against them. Los Angeles has a team average of 8.25 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.52 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.60, they are 10th in the league.

As a team, Los Angeles is batting .246, good for 24th in the league while putting together a .248 average away from home. The Dodgers on-base percentage sits at .308, which puts them at 21st in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .392. With 116 hits, Howie Kendrick leads the team while his team ranks 25th in hits per game with 8.23.

Pittsburgh is 36-18 at home while holding a 62-44 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 2.29, Gerrit Cole will come into this game holding a 14-5 record and a 1.10 WHIP. In his starts, the Pirates are 15-6 and he has allowed 122 hits over 137.1 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Pirates are 7-12 when he starts. He is getting 3.7 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 298 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.84. The Pirates bullpen has struck out 283 batters and walked 102 this season while opposing teams have hit .242 against them. Pittsburgh has a team average of 8.54 hits per game and are averaging 7.91 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.21, they are 2nd in the league.

As a team, they are batting .255, good for 9th in the league while putting together a .257 average at home. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .316, which puts them at 14th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .385. With 110 hits, Starling Marte leads the team while his team ranks 8th in hits per game with 8.82.

In terms of team defense, the Dodgers have a fielding percentage of .988 with 47 total errors, 1,114 assists and 2,843 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Pirates have accumlated 78 errors while having 1266 assists and 2,912 put outs leading to a .982 fielding percentage.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 51-51 against the over/under so far this season

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 47-60 against the run line so far this season

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 46-50 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 45-61 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

08/06/15 RF Yasiel Puig Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Philadelphia Phillies
07/31/15 3B Justin Turner Thigh Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
06/18/15 P Chris Hatcher Oblique Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/15)
04/28/15 P Brandon McCarthy Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26), out for season
04/06/15 P Bronson Arroyo Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6), out for season
04/06/15 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/01/15 P A.J. Burnett Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
07/20/15 SS Jordy Mercer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/20)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
07/06/15 3B Josh Harrison Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Dodgers

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