Motivation is such a funny thing, and often hard to find among teams out of the Major League Baseball postseason picture.
Sure, the defending champion San Francisco Giants are still mathematically in the race for the National League playoffs. But any hopes of repeating their amazing 2010 World Series title would appear as long a shot as SBR poster JJ Gold growing his own hair.
The Los Angeles Dodgers? One could say they've been playing for pride all season after the way the McCourt's ownership and split have been affecting the team for several years now.
But there is motivation to be found when the two old rivals meet for the final time this season on Thursday evening (10:10 PM ET).
The game has started off as a complete mystery to bettors with the MLB odds swinging from the Dodgers being slight favorites at home to the Giants riding a little chalk. Let's call it a pick 'em, -105 on both sides, which is what it is at several sportsbooks Thursday morning.
Tonight's total opened at 6.5 and has remained there, with the UNDER the pricier pick.
It's appropriate to see this game as a pick at MLB betting windows after the clubs split the first two games of the series, giving San Francisco an ever-so-slight 9-8 edge in meetings this season. Clayton Kershaw (-120) outdueled Tim Lincecum in Tuesday's contest to begin the set at Dodger Stadium. The Giants (-120) bounced back Wednesday night behind a 12-hit attack to post an 8-5 victory.
Thursday's mound battle will begin between San Francisco's young lefty Madison Bumgarner (12-12, 3.21) and Los Angeles' Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda (12-16, 3.19).
The motivation driving Bumgarner right now, in addition to San Fran's slim playoff hopes, is to close his first full season in the big leagues on a strong note after 2011 began as a struggle. The Giants dropped Bumgarner's first six starts this year, and 11 of his first 15, before the 22-year-old southpaw really got the ship righted.
Bumgarner has won his last five outings with a sparkling 1.03 ERA in that span. He's also 3-1 vs. the Dodgers this year, 4-1 over five career starts with a 2.97 ERA.
Hiroki Kuroda has been motivated for this start the entire season. He's been having some issues with his neck, though an MRI didn't show any big problem. But with 189 innings under his belt, Kuroda just needs to get three more outs to kick in a $175,000 bonus clause on his contract.
The 36-year-old righthander is 1-1 in two starts this year against San Francisco, and started his 2011 campaign with a nice win here at Chavez Ravine on April 3 (7 IP, 3 ER). Lifetime, Kuroda is 3-3 vs. the Giants in nine starts with a 3.78 ERA.
Carlos Beltran and Pablo Sandoval will be motivated to face Kuroda. They've combined to hit .400 against the LA hurler (10 for 25) with a home run each.
One more motivating factor in tonight's game is expected plate umpire Jim Wolf. Visiting teams are 19-12 this year when he works the dish. Their advantage is even more pronounced when the home team is priced as the Dodgers for Thursday's contest. Home favorites up to -120, and home underdogs up to +120, are just 2-9 this season.
Taking a Chance:
I'm motivated to back the Giants after reading that outstanding game preview.