The best team and the worst club in the National League West division lock horns this Friday for the start of a three-game series in Hollywood. Who takes Game 1?
Catch this game live on Friday, August 11, at 10:10 AM, Manila time
Away: Colorado Rockies (45-69/20-39 Away)
Starting Pitcher: Ty Blach (1-1, 4.85 ERA)
The Rockies have alternated wins and losses of late, going 3-3 in their last six games. They are coming off a 7-6 loss Thursday in a series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. Colorado will begin a new series against the Dodgers this Friday with Ty Blach on the mound. Blach was unsuccessful in his last start, as he got lit up for four earned runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings during a 6-2 loss at Busch Stadium versus the St. Louis Cardinals last Sunday.
That being, those were all the runs he gave up in his last three starts which spanned a total of 12.2 innings. Behind Blach is the Rockies’ offense that’s hoping that Ryan McMahon and Nolan Jones will continue to hit well. McMahon has a .953 OPS and four homers in his last 13 games, while Jones has a .921 OPS and two homers in his last 12 games.
Home: Los Angeles Dodgers (67-46/34-20 Home)
Starting Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw (10-4, 2.55 ERA)
It’s a legend who will likely handle the starting pitching duties for the Dodgers in this game, as Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his much-awaited return from the injured list Friday. Kershaw has not pitched since June, during which he posted an incredible 4-0 record and a 1.09 ERA in five starts. His most recent start actually was against the Rockies at Coors Field on July 28, holding Denver scoreless in six innings with only a hit allowed and a walk issued. Kershaw is especially tough to solve at Dodger Stadium, where he is 4-1 with a 1.70 ERA in six starts.
Los Angeles is still without designated hitter JD Martinez (hamstring) but the duo of Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts is available as huge threats to Colorado pitching. Freeman has a 1.262 OPS, six home runs, and 11 doubles over his last 97 at-bats, while Betts isn’t too shabby either with a .949 OPS, five homers, and seven doubles in his last 91 at-bats.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Dodgers (-2.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (9.0) hits the Under.
