Clayton Kershaw (13-6, 2.15 ERA) is on the hill for the Los Angeles Dodgers (82-60) as they square off against Jon Gray (0-0, 5.17 ERA) and the Colorado Rockies (60-83) in the first of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 14 and can be seen on RTRM and SNLA.
Kershaw pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one, striking out eight and walking two in a 6-4 win over the Angels. Andre Ethier (.295, 49 Rs, 13 HRs, 44 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. Gray went 5.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking two in a 2-1 defeat to the Padres in his most recent start. Carlos Gonzalez (.267, 78 Rs, 37 HRs, 87 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Los Angeles, a substantial -325 favorite, takes on Colorado. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of six runs. The Dodgers have an overall money line of -608 and a record as the favorite of 71-51. Los Angeles is an impressive 5-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Dodgers have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.2 runs per game. Los Angeles leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 3.5 per game. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to Dodger Stadium have been stifled by the Dodgers, who have a team ERA of only 3.05 at home. The Dodgers are the fourth-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 home game with 9.1.
As for their opponent, Colorado is coming in with an overall money line of -1,424 and a disappointing record of 42-63 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with an 18-28 record against NL West opponents, and a 5-5 record SU. The Rockies have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 452 extra base hits.
The Dodgers have controlled the season series, 9-4. The Dodgers have a 66-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gray takes the mound. Kershaw (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rockies, who have inferior records against left-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 2-12 and 5-24, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Rockies won by a margin of one run. The Dodgers are 21-22 in one-run games. The Rockies have a 19-21 record in close games.
The Dodgers are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 11 strikeouts. The Rockies have a record of 8-17 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 11-60. The Dodgers have a 14-44 record when opponents outhit them.
Los Angeles and Colorado both rank in the top 10 of the league in home runs. Los Angeles sits at sixth with 170 home runs this season and Colorado ranks seventh with 168.
Ranking 13th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.35 per game. Colorado ranks in the top five at third with 9.15.
Los Angeles and Colorado both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Los Angeles sits at fifth with an OPS of .750 and Colorado ranks fourth with an OPS of .754.
When the Rockies allow at least one home run, they are 31-64. When the Dodgers allow one or more homers, they have a 35-42 record.
