Mike Bolsinger (2-0, 1.04 ERA) and Ian Kennedy (2-3, 6.75 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (25-16) and the San Diego Padres (20-23) at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won the last game 2-1 and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 10:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 23 and can be seen on FSN-SD, SportsNet LA and MLB.
Bolsinger pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking two in a 1-0 win over the Rockies. Adrian Gonzalez (.347, 29 Rs, 9 HRs, 32 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday. Kennedy is 5-8 with a 4.58 ERA against the Dodgers in his career. He is up against a quality Los Angeles offense that’s batting .260. Justin Upton (.284, 30 Rs, 11 HRs, 29 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Los Angeles is a -162 favorite against San Diego and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Dodgers have an overall money line of +61 and a record as the favorite of 22-15. Los Angeles has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 17-12 and 17-13 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Dodgers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.7 runs per game. The Dodgers have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the NL in offense with 4.7 runs per game. The Dodgers are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits at home with an impressive 9.1 per game. Los Angeles leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 4.0 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Dodgers are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.15 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Dodgers, who lead the NL in strikeouts per game with 9.1.
As for their opponent, San Diego is coming in with an overall money line of -316 and a disappointing record of 8-15 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-6 record, and a 3-7 record SU. Offensively, the Padres have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 2.9 during that stretch. The Padres average 4.7 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the NL West is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 4.0 against division foes.
The Dodgers have controlled the season series, 5-2. The Dodgers have a great 16-3 record at home (22-12 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Kennedy takes the mound. Bolsinger (RHP) will be on the hill against the Padres, who have a 14-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Padres lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Dodgers are 6-7. The Padres are also 6-7 in close games this season.
The Dodgers are 2-2 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Padres are 1-2 in such matchups.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Padres are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Dodgers have an 8-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Padres are 14-3. The Dodgers have an 18-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 11th, San Diego sits in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 182 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 188.
Ranking first in walks, Los Angeles has earned 161 this season. San Diego ranks 20th with 110 walks.
The Dodgers are 21-8 when they hit at least one home run. The Padres perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 13-8 record.
