Phillies vs. Dodgers Prediction
The return from injury of Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw highlights today’s series finale at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. Will Kershaw guide Los Angeles to the win or will Philadelphia prevail with its own ace, Aaron Nola, on the mound?
Game Snapshot
957 Philadelphia Phillies at 958 Los Angeles Dodgers
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Dodger Stadium at 7:35PM ET
TV: MLB Network
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Dodgers are listed as a -171 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Phillies are a +161 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6.5 runs. As of Thursday afternoon, 52 percent of public bets are being placed on host Los Angeles. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Kershaw makes first start in over four weeks
The activation from the disabled list of Kershaw takes center stage in LA today as he makes his first start since May 1. He has been solid this season but underwhelming for his own standards as he is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He has racked up 48 strikeouts in 44 innings. He’ll try to secure a third win in four days for the Dodgers over the Phillies following an 8-2 win by the hosts Wednesday night. Matt Kemp paced the offense by going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Max Muncy contributed a solo home run. Joc Pederson finished 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Clay Bellinger was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run. Ross Stripling allowed one earned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks over seven innings to get the win.
Williams homers again in defeat
Phillies left fielder Nick Williams homered in the seventh inning off Stripling to put his squad on the board, but it came after the Dodgers had already scored seven runs in the contest. Williams now has six home runs after homering for a second straight day. It was his third long ball in five days. Carlos Santana collected two hits in four at-bats. Cesar Hernandez finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. Zach Eflin gave up five earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk over four innings to take the loss.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are 1-7 in Nola’s last eight road starts. The over is 11-2-4 in the last 17 meetings.
Los Angeles
The Dodgers are 10-3 in their last 13 games overall. Los Angeles is 6-2 in its last eight home games.
Prediction:
Kershaw has been more vulnerable than usual at times this season and the Dodgers will certainly be careful with him in his first start back. Helping him, however, is the absence of Rhys Hoskins from the Phillies lineup. Nola should keep Philadelphia in the game, but I think Kershaw will show he’s healthy and ready to mow down lineups once again. I considered pulling the trigger on the underdogs, but ultimately I’m going to bet on LA here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES DODGERS -171