With Clayton Kershaw taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jered Weaver up for the LA Angels, a Southern California parlay looks pretty good.
Anyone else up for a little Southern California Dreamin’?
Pick 1: Los Angeles Angels -142 over Baltimore Orioles
The Angels have broken out of their mini-slump and appear to be on their way to another hot streak. An impressive sweep over Tampa Bay was a great way to rebound from losing two straight series to the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox. Before that mini-slump of 2-4, the Angels had won six straight series, putting together an impressive record of 17-3 over that 20 game span.
While Jered Weaver’s ERA has risen over the last month and a half, his winning ways have not wavered. Weaver is 5-0 in his last five decisions, and the Angels have won seven straight games in which Weaver has started. Coming off of two straight 11 strikeout performances, Weaver looks to be finding his groove again, which could be very dangerous for opposing hitters.
Chris Tillman hasn’t enjoyed much success in his young career, posting a 5.19 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in his first three starts in the bigs. Something tells me that the major league’s second best offense isn’t going to do much to help those numbers.
The Pick: Los Angeles Angels -142
Pick 2: Los Angeles Dodgers -105 over Arizona Diamondbacks
This game features two of the best pitchers in the game this year; the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw vs. the Diamondback’s Dan Haren.
Kershaw has been the victim of absolutely terrible run support over his last few starts, a trend that is even scarier when you consider how good the opposition is today in Dan Haren. But that of course is looking at the season numbers instead of recent form.
Haren hasn’t done much to dispel the notion that he is a first half pitcher in his last four starts, surrendering five runs in his last two starts and four runs in another. He has given up at least one home run in all four of his last four starts as well.
Kershaw meanwhile has been nothing short of phenomenal for an incredible stretch of games now. After two very poor starts to end April, Kershaw has given up two earned runs or less in 15 of his last 19 games. The four games he didn’t give up two earned? Three times he gave up three earned, and once he gave up four. That is a pretty incredible stretch. Kershaw has met his potential as an elite pitcher, and has risen to the task of being an ace alongside Chad Billingsley.
Not only do I like Kershaw better in today’s game, but it is worth noting that the Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t played a team over .500 this month. They haven’t won a series against a team over .500 since trumping Colorado back in the very beginning of July. Arizona hasn’t faced a team with a winning atmosphere like the Dodgers in a while.
Coming fresh off of a series win against rival San Francisco, expect the Dodgers to finally get Kershaw some runs and come out victorious.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -105
Good Luck!