Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.95 ERA) starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers (37-29) as they square off against Colby Lewis (6-3, 4.37 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (36-30) in the second of a two-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Rangers won the last game 5-3 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 18 and can be seen on FSN-SW, SportsNet LA and MLB.
Greinke is 3-5 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts against the Rangers. Justin Turner (.318, 21 Rs, 6 HRs, 26 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Lewis went 7.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out six and walking one in an 11-7 win over the Twins in his last outing. Prince Fielder (.344, 34 Rs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Los Angeles, a big -210 favorite, takes on Texas. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. The Dodgers have an overall money line of -159 and a record as the favorite of 33-25. In interleague play, they have a 2-2 record when they were the favorite and 3-2 SU. The Dodgers have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the NL in offense with 4.3 runs per game. The Dodgers are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 209. Los Angeles leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 3.6 per game. Turning to the pitchers, the Dodgers are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who rank second in the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.5.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 30-26 record and an overall money line of +1,569. Texas has put in a great performance against teams in the NL, coming in with a nice record SU ({betdsi.at.nl.su_record}) and as the underdog (3-1). The Rangers allow 4.3 runs per game, but does better whenever an NL opponent is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.0 against teams from the NL.
The Rangers have the edge in the season series, 3-0. The Dodgers have a 34-22 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Lewis takes the mound. Greinke (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 24-18 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Dodgers and the Rangers are both 3-2 in games that go into extra innings.
The Rangers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Dodgers who are heading in with an 18-7 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 7-25. The Dodgers have a 7-19 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking ninth in home runs, Texas has hit 69 this season. Los Angeles ranks second with 84 home runs.
Los Angeles and Texas both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Los Angeles sits at ninth with 8.46 hits per game and Texas ranks seventh with 8.58.
Ranking 10th, Texas is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.724). Los Angeles ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .769.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 18-25, well-matched with the Dodgers who are 16-20 when allowing at least one homer.
