Thursday, April 21, 2016

Turner Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw vs. Matt Wisler

The Los Angeles Dodgers visit Turner Field on Thursday to play the Atlanta Braves. The probable starters are Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers and Matt Wisler for the Braves. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at -255 and Atlanta at +233. The over/under was set at 6.5. The Dodgers have a 5-9-0 over/under record and a 5-9-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 36% of the time. The Braves are 6-7-0 against the run line and have a 9-3-1 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Dodgers head into this matchup with a 8-6 record, including 4-4 on the road. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw has a 2-0 record with an earned run average of 1.64 and a WHIP of 0.55. He has 20 strikeouts over his 22 innings pitched and he has given up 10 hits so far this season. He has allowed 4.1 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 2.69. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 3.86 and they have given up 31 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .212 against the bullpen while being struck out 38 times and walking 11 times this season. As a team, Los Angeles has allowed 8.16 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.31 batters per nine. They are 12th in the league in team earned run average at 3.72. The Dodgers pitchers have collectively given up 95 base hits and 44 earned runs. They have allowed 12 home runs this season and they allow 0.9 homers per nine innings as a staff. Los Angeles as a pitching staff has walked 35 batters and struck out 101. They walk 2.5 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.3 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.05 and their FIP as a unit is 3.68.

As a team, Los Angeles is batting .225, good for 23rd in the league while putting together a .242 average away from home. The Dodgers hold a .315 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .296 which is good for 24th in baseball. They rank 23rd in baseball with 7.5 hits per game. Adrian Gonzalez comes into this game hitting .333 and his on-base percentage is at .383. He has 18 hits this season along with 7 runs scored and 8 runs batted in. He's struck out 11 times and has walked 5 times. Joc Pederson is hitting .263 and he has an on-base percentage of .333. He has totaled 10 hits so far while scoring 8 runs and he's driven in 7. He has walked 3 times and has struck out 16 times. The Dodgers have 125 hits, including 30 doubles and 8 home runs. They've stolen 3 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 2 times. Los Angeles has walked 36 times this season and they've struck out 106 times as a unit. They've left 95 men on base and have a team OPS of .709. They score 4.71 runs per contest and have scored a total of 66 runs so far this year.

Atlanta comes into this matchup with a 1-5 home record and a 4-9 overall mark. With an earned run average of 4.61, Matt Wisler has a 0-1 record and a 0.95 WHIP. He has 10 strikeouts over the 13.2 innings he's pitched during which he has given up 11 hits. He has allowed 7.2 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 5.1. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 4.67 and they have given up 40 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .233 against the Braves bullpen while being struck out 48 times and walking 27 times this season. As a team, Atlanta has allowed 8.77 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.22 batters per nine. They are 28th in the league in team earned run average at 5.01. The Braves pitchers as a team have surrendered 112 base knocks and 64 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 15 home runs this year and they give up 1.2 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Atlanta as a staff has walked 52 hitters and struck out 105. They give up a walk 4.1 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.2 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.43 while their FIP as a staff is 4.41.

As a team, they are batting .215, good for 28th in the league while putting together a .214 average at home. The Braves hold a .283 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .306 which is good for 22nd in baseball. They rank 27th in baseball with 7 hits per contest. Nick Markakis comes into this matchup batting .327 and he has an OBP of .421. He has 16 hits this year along with 7 runs scored and 12 RBI. He's struck out 7 times and has walked on 7 occasions. Adonis Garcia is hitting .267 and he has an OBP of .377. He has collected 12 hits so far while he's scored 5 runs and drove in 5. He has earned a walk 6 times and has punched out 11 times. The Braves as a unit have 91 base hits, including 20 doubles and 3 homers. They have 6 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 3 times. Atlanta as a team has walked 51 times this year and they have struck out 105 times. They've had 86 men left on base and have an OPS of .589. They score 3.85 runs per game and have totaled 50 runs so far this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 5-9-0 against the over/under so far this season

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 5-9-0 against the run line so far this season

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

The Atlanta Braves are 9-3-1 against the over/under so far this season

The Atlanta Braves are 6-7-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

04/11/16 LF Scott Van Slyke Back 15-day DL (4/10)
04/09/16 LF Carl Crawford Back 15-day DL (4/9)
04/05/16 P Brandon McCarthy Elbow 60-day DL (2/19)
04/05/16 P Frankie Montas Ribs 60-day DL (2/20)
04/04/16 P Brett Anderson Back 60-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Josh Ravin Forearm 60-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Michael Bolsinge Oblique 15-day DL (3/25)
04/03/16 3B Alex Guerrero Knee 15-day DL (3/25)
04/01/16 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder 15-day DL (3/25)
03/31/16 LF Andre Ethier Leg 60-day DL (3/25)

Atlanta Braves

04/18/16 3B Gordon Beckham Hamstring 15-day DL (4/17)
04/13/16 2B Hector Olivera Legal problems out indefinitely
04/12/16 P Daniel Winkler Elbow 15-day DL (4/11)
04/11/16 RF Ender Inciarte Hamstring 15-day DL (4/9)
04/04/16 P Andrew McKiraha Elbow 60-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Manuel Banuelos Elbow 15-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Paco Rodrigue Elbow out for season
04/04/16 P Shae Simmons Elbow 15-day DL (3/25)

Guy's Pick: Take the Dodgers

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn