The Los Angeles Dodgers hit the road tonight to take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball action. The game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start time and it will be televised on MLB.tv and locally in both markets. Currently the Major League Baseball Odds for the game have the Dodgers favored on the road.
Clayton Kershaw gets the rock tonight for the Dodgers, which is why they are favored on the road in this one. That, and the fact that the Dodgers have been a very good road team so far this season, sporting a record of 16-10. The Phillies have been inconsistent in home games as well, going just 8-12 in their 20 games at home. Kershaw has pitched the Dodgers to a pair of wins so far this season and he is one of, if not the best pitcher in baseball.
Yet, it's proven that the 2-time Cy Young award winner can be knocked around as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat him up for seven runs just last week. The Dodgers' ace did have a streak of pitching at least five innings in his previous 68 starts, and he hadn't surrendered more than five runs since allowing eight over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-2 loss at St. Louis back on July 24, 2012. It's not often he gets banged up and knocked around, but it certainly is possible.
Tonight he could bounce back to normal form. In his last couple of starts against Philadelphia, Kershaw has allowed just one run in 16 innings.
On Thursday night the Dodgers weren't able to sweep the Mets inside the Big Apple, falling 5-3. Zack Greinke got the start and couldn't get the job done for the Dodgers, who will be looking to get back in the win column Friday night. Los Angeles is 3-3 in the first six of their nine-game road trip.
Yasiel Puig has been dominating at the plate the last few weeks — the Dodger outfielder has logged at least one hit in all but one of his last 20 games, going 32 for 80 (.400) with seven bombs and 23 runs driven in.
The Phillies have lost two straight games overall and are just 4-6 in their last 10 games. Philadelphia won three of four at Dodger Stadium from April 21-24 earlier this season, so the Dodgers do have a revenge angle going on in this game tonight.
Roberto Hernandez gets the ball for the Phillies. He's 2-1 this season with an ERA under 4.00 so far this season for Philadelphia. Hernandez last pitched against the Dodgers when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, losing in a 5-0 decision.
Tonight we like the Dodgers to get this win on the road. Kershaw at anything around this price is something that needs to be looked at and we're going to play the Dodgers.
Free Pick: Dodgers 5, Phillies 1
MLB Free Picks: Cleveland Indians vs Baltimore Orioles Betting
What major league baseball bettors need to know about Cleveland Indians vs Baltimore Orioles on Friday (5/23/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo, with added insight from Ken Thomson.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
$10,000 Match Marco Baseball Challenge — During the 2010 MLB season, Pregame Pro Marco D'Angelo won an unheard of 25 straight baseball games, never laying more than -$120! This contest replicates Marco's feat — CLICK TO JOIN
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NHL Playoffs with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!