MLB Predictions: Will Dodgers’ Kershaw out-duel Stephen Strasburg? 6/7/17
Will Clayton Kershaw out-duel Stephen Strasburg when the Dodgers host the Nationals today at 3:10PM ET?
The Odds: Nationals vs. Dodgers, 3:10PM ET, Dodger Stadium
According to oddsmakers, Los Angeles is -170 money line favorites for today’s game. That makes Washington +150 to pull off the upset in L.A. The total, meanwhile, was bet down from 7 to 6.5.
Pitching Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (WAS) vs. Clayton Kershaw (LAD)
Strasburg was excellent last Friday in Oakland. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings. He also struck out seven while throwing 64 of his 100 pitches for strikes. The right-hander has now lowered his ERA in each of his past four outings. He’s 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA over 40 1/3 innings over six road starts this season.
Kershaw was dominant in his last start as well. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball while striking out a whopping 14 Brewers last Friday. After giving up a home run to Domingo Santana in the seventh inning, his offense bailed him out in the bottom of the ninth by tying the game 2-2. The Dodgers went on to beat the Brewers in extra innings. Entering play tonight, Kershaw owns a 2.28 ERA.
Our Prediction
The Dodgers are a perfect 6-0 in Kershaw’s last six home starts versus the Nationals. They’re also 12-1 in his last 13 outings versus Washington overall. Los Angeles has won 41 of Kershaw’s last 52 home starts and 38 of his last 51 outings versus National League East opponents. The Dodgers are also 36-15 in their last 51 home games and 8-3 in their last 11 contests versus NL East foes.
As for the Nationals, they’re just 10-26 in their last 36 games in Los Angeles. They’ve also lost four of Strasburg’s last five starts versus the Dodgers.
Wednesday MLB Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers -170
