In the first of a four-game series between the Colorado Rockies (22-26) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (22-26) at Coors Field, Kyle Kendrick (2-6, 6.38 ERA) and Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 3.86 ERA) get the ball. The game gets underway at 8:40 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 1 and will air on SportsNet LA and ROOT-RM.
Kendrick has a 6.28 ERA and a 5-8 record in his career against the Dodgers, and is up against a strong Los Angeles offense that’s hitting .256 on the year. DJ LeMahieu (.335, 19 Rs, 3 HRs, 25 RBIs, 4 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Rockies, Kershaw is 15-5 with a 3.29 ERA. He gets a solid Colorado offense that’s batting .266.
Colorado is a heavy +193 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Rockies have a 16-17 record and overall money line at -212. Over the last 10 games, they have had a very good record when playing as the underdog (6-2). Colorado has averaged 6.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.3. Whenever an NL West opponent shows up on the calendar, the Rockies seem to struggle with pitching. They allow an average of 5.0 runs per game, but allow 5.9 against teams from their own division.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Dodgers come into this game with a solid win percentage of .605 when playing as the favorite (26-17) and an overall money line of +181. Against divisional foes, they are 19-14 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 19-13 record. They sport the third-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Los Angeles is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 64 home runs. Los Angeles has an eye for the strike zone, averaging an NL-best 3.7 walks per game. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.17, fourth best in the MLB. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an NL-high 8.8 strikeouts per game.
The Dodgers had the upper hand against the Rockies in their previous nine games this season, earning a 7-2 record. This game will feature Kershaw (LHP) on the mound against the Rockies, who have a 1-3 home and 3-7 overall record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Kendrick will take the mound against the Dodgers. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 27-14 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 9-9, while Colorado is 8-9.
The Rockies are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Dodgers have a 3-6 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 3-17. The Dodgers have a 3-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Colorado ranks in the top 10 of the league at 10th when it comes to home runs, hitting 54 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at second with 64.
Ranking eighth, Los Angeles is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.52 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at fourth with 9.13.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Los Angeles has an OPS of .776 this season. Colorado ranks fifth with an OPS of .743.
The Dodgers are 12-14 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rockies are 8-16 when they allow at least one homer.
