Clayton Kershaw (10-6, 2.39 ERA) gets the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-51) as they meet Felix Doubront (1-1, 4.59 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (51-69) in the first of a two-game series at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics enter this series on a seven-game losing streak. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 18 and will air on CSCA and SNLA.
In his last start, Doubront pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs and walking one in a 10-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Ben Zobrist (.283, 49 Rs, 9 HRs, 43 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. The Dodgers were victorious over the Nationals 3-0 the last time Kershaw pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out eight.
The Over/Under (O/U) for this game is six runs and Oakland is a considerable +201 underdog. The Athletics have a losing record of 20-36 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -2,542. They are 2-7 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Oakland has averaged 5.0 runs per game during interleague play, higher than its season average of 4.0. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Oakland pitchers. The Athletics have given up an average of 5.9 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.0 runs per game. The Athletics don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at O.co Coliseum, leading the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per home game.
Across the field, the Dodgers have a record of 60-46 when they are favored and are -824 overall with the money line. Teams in the American League haven’t been able to get the upper hand on fiery Los Angeles. The Dodgers hold a record of 7-4 in games where they were ranked as the favorite and an 8-4 SU. The Dodgers are known for their power, smashing 146 home runs. Switching gears to Los Angeles’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.52.
This game will feature Kershaw (LHP) on the mound against the Athletics, who have a 9-24 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The left-handed Doubront will take the mound against the Dodgers, who have a 10-12 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland recorded at least two errors for the 21st time this season.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Dodgers have an 18-25 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
The Dodgers are coming into the game with three consecutive wins, while the Athletics currently have a losing streak of seven.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 39-16. The Dodgers have a 50-10 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top half of the league based on total runs this season, Oakland ranks 15th with 483 runs and Los Angeles is 12th with 496.
Ranking first in walks, Los Angeles has earned 405 this season. Oakland ranks 12th with 343 walks.
When the Athletics hit at least one home run, they are 33-30. When the Dodgers hit at least one homer, they have a 52-32 record.
