Visitors aim to grab commanding NLDS edge
Several months ago, Rich Hill was toiling without much purpose on a bad team in Oakland. Now he’s preparing to start the most important game of the Dodgers’ season.
The lefty takes the mound against Washington this afternoon, with a 4 p.m. ET first pitch at Nationals Park. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives Los Angeles odds of -115 to snatch a 2-0 NLDS lead. The host club, on the other hand, represents a +105 underdog.
Clayton Kershaw couldn’t exorcise many of his playoff demons yesterday, but the three-time Cy Young winner still outfoxed Max Scherzer. Dusty Baker’s ace labored through six frames, surrendering homers to Justin Turner and Corey Seager in the Nats’ 4-3 loss. Tanner Roark (16-10, 2.83 ERA), whose penchant for working deep into contests helped Washington capture the NL East, accepts the assignment in a few hours.
The 30-year-old will be opposed by one of the sport’s biggest second-half surprises. Acquired from the A’s at the trade deadline, Hill (12-5, 2.12) posted a 0.78 WHIP in his final six outings of the regular campaign. He was actually let go from the Nationals’ Triple-A Syracuse affiliate last June. The Boston native’s most recent postseason appearance came on Oct. 6, 2007.
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Suffice it to say, Baker desperately needs his middle-of-the-order threats to do a superior job with runners in scoring position. Hill’s by no means a flamethrower, so Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy should net multiple opportunities to inflict damage. We’ll ride with the Nats in what amounts to a must-win situation.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: NATIONALS +1.5