Los Angeles Dodgers @ Oakland Athletics

Los Angeles Dodgers -145

Run Total: 7.5

Game Play Predictions

Los Angeles Dodgers

·         The Dodgers are top-10 in several pitching categories, along with a few hitting categories.  They are 3rd in ERA, 2nd in quality starts, 2nd in WHIP, and 7th in batting average against. For offense, they are 7th in runs scored, 9th in on-base percentage, and 8th in slugging percentage.

·         They are 4-2 in their last six games but have scored four or fewer runs in four of those games.

·         The Dodgers have the second highest team wOBA vs right-handed pitchers this season, coming in at .334, with a team ISO of .198, which is also second best in the league.

·         Clayton Kershaw will be on the mound for the Dodgers tonight, who has only allowed seven earned runs in his last four starts while racking up 28 strikeouts. He looks to be back in form while going six or more innings in six straight starts.

·         Brian Dozier has hits in four of his last five games with two home runs, three doubles, and seven RBIs.

·         Manny Machado has hits in four of his last five games with two doubles, but no RBIs or home runs.

·         Matt Kemp continues to struggle with only two hits in his last 10 games, with one RBI and only one run.

Oakland Athletics

·         The Athletics have won 12 of their last 17 games and come in with a team ISO of .175 vs left-handed pitchers this season, which is seventh best in the league.

·         Oakland is very average across the board when it comes to pitching, as they are 11th in ERA, 14th in quality starts, 11th in WHIP, and 12th in batting average against.

·         They are a bit better when it comes to their hitting stats, 8th in runs scored, 15th in batting average, 12th in on-base percentage, and 5th in slugging percentage.

·         Mike Fiers will be making his first start for the Athletics after being acquired on Monday from the Tigers. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven straight starts and has five or more strikeouts in four of those same starts.

·         Khris Davis is 1-for-11 in his career vs Clayton Kershaw but comes in with a .328 wOBA and a .249 ISO vs lefties this season.

·         Matt Chapman has a six-game hitting streak in the works right now, with two doubles, two home runs, and three RBI. 

·         Jed Lowrie has only two hits in his last five games, with no other contributions in any other major category.

Pregame Props

1. Either team scores in the 1st Inning

No on this one for me. We have Kershaw on one side of things and I mentioned above, the Dodgers haven’t been scoring a lot of runs as of late.

2.  Both teams record a strikeout in the 1st Inning

This is a tough one for me. I fully expect Kershaw to rack up a strikeout in the first, but Fiers comes in with a 17% strikeout rate this season, which is one of the lowest ones for any pitcher on the slate, which makes me lean towards no.

3. Either team's leadoff batter reaches scoring position in the 1st Inning

Dodgers haven’t been scoring as I mentioned, but Kershaw is on the mound and they will look to get him some early run support in the first innings, so I expect some aggressive plays from them.

4.  A LAD batter comes back from any 2 strike count to reach base safely in the 1st Inning

The Dodgers have a 22.6% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitchers this season, which is around league average, so this one is a bit of a tossup. I’m going with yes and will rely on the quality of the Dodgers hitters over Mike Fiers .

5.  OAK records the first 2 outs of the 1st Inning within the 1st 10 pitches

Easy no on this one. The Dodgers take a ton of pitches, as you will see in prop number six, so it should be a longer inning for Fiers on the mound.

6.  A LAD batter sees 7 or more pitches in the 1st Inning

Yes on this one. The Dodgers have the highest walk rate vs right-handed pitchers this season at 9.8%, so this plays with prop number four, and they will see a lot of pitches and get on base.

7. LAD leadoff batter sees 5 or more pitches

This one has a direct correlation with a few of these other props. I’m on the same side of things across the board, yes for seeing more pitches.