Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA) and Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (60-49) and the Boston Red Sox (60-48) at Dodger Stadium. The Red Sox won the last game 9-0, and Boston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 6 and can be seen on FS1, NESN and SNLA.
Stripling pitched 3.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out one and walking one in a 14-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Justin Turner (.275, 52 Rs, 19 HRs, 64 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Rodriguez went 6.1 innings, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking two in a 2-1 win over the Mariners in his last outing. Mookie Betts (.309, 85 Rs, 23 HRs, 73 RBIs, 17 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for Los Angeles and Boston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. In interleague play, the Dodgers have a 6-9 record SU. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 5.5 runs per game, well above its season average of 3.9. The Dodgers are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.135 so far this season.
Boston is 9-3 SU against teams in the NL. Offensively, the Red Sox have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 5.5 runs per game by averaging 3.6 during that stretch. The Red Sox have a dynamic offense, leading the league with 404 extra base hits. The Red Sox allow 4.6 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.7 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Red Sox are third in the AL on the road with an average of 8.0 hits allowed per away game.
The Red Sox have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Dodgers have a 12-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Rodriguez takes the mound. Stripling (RHP) will be on the hill against the Red Sox, who have a 47-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
For the eighth time this season, the Dodgers registered at least two errors in a game.
The Dodgers didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Red Sox have a 5-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 6-29. The Dodgers have an 11-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 17th in home runs, Los Angeles has hit 121 this season. Boston ranks 10th with 139 home runs.
Ranking first in hits, Boston has earned 10.05 per game this season. Los Angeles ranks ninth with 8.38 hits.
Boston tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .823 this season. Los Angeles ranks near the bottom at 21st with an OPS of .718.
When the Red Sox allow at least one home run, they are 35-40, well-matched with the Dodgers who are 27-37 when allowing at least one homer.
