In the last of a four-game series between the Milwaukee Brewers (9-19) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (9-19) at Miller Park, Mike Fiers (1-3, 4.74 ERA) and Scott Baker (0-1, 5.73 ERA) get the ball. The Brewers won the last game 6-3 and Milwaukee leads the series 2-1. The game starts at 1:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 7 and will air on SportsNet LA and MLB Network.
Fiers is 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA against the Dodgers in his career, but is up against a strong Los Angeles offense that’s hitting .259 on the year. Adam Lind (.323, 12 Rs, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. In his career against the Brewers, Baker is 4-4 with a 4.82 ERA. He gets a struggling Milwaukee offense that’s batting just .223. Adrian Gonzalez (.376, 23 Rs, 9 HRs, 22 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Dodgers, going 3 for 4 yesterday.
Milwaukee is a slight +103 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Brewers have a losing record of 6-12 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,025. Milwaukee has averaged 4.2 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 3.3.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Dodgers come into this game with a solid win percentage of .667 when playing as the favorite (16-8) and an overall money line of +418. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed a 7-2 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 7-3. They sport the top-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 4.8 runs per game. The Dodgers are known for their bats, hitting a league-leading 105 extra base hits. The Dodgers average 3.8 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the NL. Switching gears to Los Angeles’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.02. They have a WHIP of 1.12 on the year, good for fourth in the league. The Los Angeles pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging an NL-best 9.3 strikeouts per game.
In their previous three games this season, the Brewers have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Baker (RHP) on the mound against the Brewers, who have a 3-10 home and 7-15 overall record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Fiers will take the mound against the Dodgers, who have a 16-7 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Dodgers play into extra innings, they have a 2-2 record. The Brewers are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Dodgers need to step it up. The Brewers have a record of 6-5 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 5-2. The Dodgers have a 15-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 94 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 129.
Ranking 26th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 59 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at third with 99.
When the Brewers hit at least one home run, they are 8-5, well-matched with the Dodgers who are 15-7 when hitting one or more homers.
