Dodgers vs. Giants Prediction
After a thrilling victory in extra innings last night, will the San Francisco Giants pull off yet another upset on Sunday when they host their National League West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers? Or will Clayton Kershaw shut down the G-Men in today’s rubber match between these divisional foes?
Game Snapshot with Current Odds
911 Los Angeles Dodgers (-190) at 912 San Francisco Giants (+180); 8 runs
Sunday, April 8, 2018, 4:05 p.m. ET, AT&T Park
TV: SNLA (LAD); CSBA (SFG)
Public Betting Trends
As of this writing, the Dodgers are receiving 78% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks to beat the Giants today on the money line. Meanwhile, 56% of the betting tickets wagered on the total are on the under.
Kershaw charged with Halting Dodgers’ Losing Skid
The Dodgers will need their ace to be a stopper today, as Clayton Kershaw will attempt to halt Los Angeles’ current four-game slide. Kershaw has been incredible over his career against the Dodgers’ biggest rivals, posting a 22-10 record with a 1.60 ERA in 42 games (41 starts) versus the Giants. He’s been especially great in San Francisco, posting a 13-4 record with a 1.30 ER in 21 games (20 starts) at AT&T Park. According to ESPN.com, Kershaw pitched six complete games in his career against the Giants, going eight full innings another 12 times.
Of course, the Giants pulled off a shocking upset of Kershaw and the Giants in the rivals’ season opener last week. It’s not like Kershaw got shelled: He allowed a solo home run to second baseman Joe Panik, who provided the game’s lone run. Panik also signaled in the Giants’ three-run 14th inning to help set up San Francisco’s come-from-behind victory.
Giants will need another big performance by ‘Cutch’
It was obvious to anyone watching that Andrew McCutchen had been exasperated by his early-season performance for his new team. McCutchen struggled heading into Saturday’s epic rally but he played the hero last night, going 6-for-7 at the plate, with four RBI and a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the 14th inning. The Dodgers had taken a 5-4 lead in the top part of the inning but the Giants quickly added runners at the corners to lead off their half of the inning, then McCutchen struck.
The former Pirate battled Dodgers’ reliever Wilmer Font, fouling off several quality pitches before turning on a pitch in on his hands over the left-field wall. It was McCutchen’s first six-hit day of his illustrious career. Now that he helped his new team post a thrilling victory over their most-hated rival, the 31-year-old should be able to build off his performance.
Betting Trends:
Los Angeles
The Dodgers are 6-1 in Kershaw’s last seven road starts against the Giants and are 10-3 in his last 13 outings versus San Francisco overall.
San Francisco
The Dodgers have dominated the Giants when Kershaw toes the rubber but L.A. has not fared well at AT&T Park in recent meetings. In the last 31 games in San Francisco between these two teams, the Dodgers are just 9-22.
Bet Sunday’s Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants Matchup
Today’s MLB Prediction
I’m going to stay away from the Dodgers given their recent struggles (plus the fact that they’re expensive due to Kershaw taking the mound). I find more value in the total, as the under is a perfect 5-0 in Ty Blach’s last five starts against the Dodgers and is 13-3-1 in Kershaw’s last 17 road starts versus the Giants. The under has also cashed in seven of the last nine meetings between these two teams and is 24-7-2 in Kershaw’s last 33 starts versus San Francisco overall.
Pick: Dodgers/Giants under 8