Clayton Kershaw (3-1, 1.96 ERA) starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-15) as they square off against R.A. Dickey (1-3, 5.73 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (16-15) in the second of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 5-2, and Toronto leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 7 and can be seen on SNLA and RSN.
Dickey pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out three and walking three in a 2-1 defeat to the Rangers. Jose Bautista (.217, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Kershaw went 9.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out 14 in a 1-0 win over the Padres in his most recent start. Joc Pederson (.278, 14 Rs, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Dodgers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Toronto and Los Angeles are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Against the NL, the Blue Jays have a 13-13 record SU. The Blue Jays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Toronto’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 8.9 per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Los Angeles is 15-15 SU against interleague opponents. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is fifth in the NL. The Dodgers are tough outs for opponents, ranking fifth in the NL with 10.0 hits per road game. Los Angeles is excellent at drawing walks with 3.8 per road game, ranking fifth in the NL. The Dodgers allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Dodgers are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.151 for the season.
The Blue Jays have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in five hits, the Blue Jays need to step it up. The Dodgers have a record of 8-2 when opponents get five hits or less.
It looks like the Blue Jays have a slight leg up on the Dodgers, as the Blue Jays have won their last four games while the Dodgers have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Blue Jays are 10-2. The Dodgers have an 11-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 14th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 123 this season. Toronto ranks ninth with 130 runs.
Ranking eighth, Los Angeles is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 103 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 119.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 13-9, well-matched with the Dodgers who are 8-6 when hitting one or more homers.
