5* graded play on the Dodgers as they take on the Chicago White Sox in Game 2 of their three-game interleague series set to start at 4:05 PM ET, Saturday. I also like playing the Dodgers Sunday as a 5* play.
The Dodgers enter the weekend
with the best record in MLB sporting a 40-24 mark and have a solid four game
lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West division. The
Chicago White Sox are in command of the American league Central with a 34-29
record and lead Cleveland by 1 ½ games in the division.
The Dodgers have outscored their
opponents by 52 runs in the 64 games they have played, ranking best in the
National League and second only to the Texas Rangers (+72) in MLB.
MLB odds boards had opened the LA Dodgers as -135 favorites, but the number has since fallen to -130. The matchup total is also listed at 7.5.
Team Rankings
The CWS rank 10th in MLB with a
0.540 win percentage, fifth averaging 4.76 runs per game, eighth averaging
14.30 total bases per game, and sixth with a +37 run differential. By
comparison, the Dodgers rank first in MLB with a 0.625 win percentage, 15th
averaging 4.31 runs per game, 23rd averaging 12.91 total bases per game, and
third with a +52 run differential.
White Sox Versus Dodgers
Batting
These teams are somewhat
opposites in terms of their offensive production with the CWS relying far more
on the long ball than the Dodgers. In a season where power numbers are
significantly lower than in years past, the Dodgers offense is one that can
generate runs in different ways.
The CWS rank 15th with a .257
team batting average, 10th averaging 34.24 at-bats per game, 15th with 2,397
plate appearances, fifth averaging 4.76 runs per game, 13th averaging 8.79 hits
per game, sixth averaging 1.25 home runs per game, 30th averaging 1.33 doubles
per game, and 19th averaging 3.03 walks per game. By Comparison, the Dodgers
rank eighth with a .263 team batting average, 27th averaging 33.12 at-bats per
game, eighth with 2,423 plate appearances, 15th averaging 4.31 runs per game,
15th averaging 8.72 hits per game, 28th averaging 0.69 home runs per game, 16th
averaging 1.69 doubles per game, and second averaging 3.62 walks per game.
By comparing the home runs stats
of the two teams readily shows how these teams score their runs. The Dodgers
are certainly more of a singles and small ball type of team, whereas the CWS
rely far more on the home run. Still, both methods of offensive production have
propelled these teams into first place in their respective divisions.
The Saturday starting pitching
matchup features the CWS Humber going up against the Dodgers Chad Billingsley.
Humber has made 11 starts and posted a 2-4 record with a hefty 5.92 ERA and a
1.428 WHIP and has allowed 12 home runs spanning 62 ? innings of work.
Billingsley has posted a 4-4 mark
in 13 starts with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.335 WHIP spanning 75 ? innings of work.
Over his last three starts he has posted a 2.70 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP, striking
out 19 batters spanning 20 innings.
Supporting System
Supporting this graded play is a
system that has produced a record of 180-72 for 71.4% winner and has made 77.2
units per one unit wagered since 2006. Play on all favorites with a money line of
-125 to -175 and with a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better on the
season and is now facing an opponent with a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5
or less hits per start.
Game Situations
The Dodgers are in a series of
strong situations noting that they are 22-7 making
14.7 units using the money line a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better
this season; 7-1 making 7.6 units per
game using the money line when facing an excellent fielding teams averaging 0.5
or fewer errors per game this season.
Take the Dodgers for a 5* graded play
against the CWS Saturday and Sunday.