MLB (1 Pick)
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Gridiron Players Club 2-0 Start to the Season! MASSIVE WEEK AHEAD. DON'T MISS OUT.
10:10PM EST: Diamondbacks ML +155 (3 Units)
Across 3 starts (15.1 IP) against the Dodgers this season, Merrill Kelly has allowed just 2 ER. He pitched 3.2 innings in his season debut against LA but 5.2 and 6 innings in the other two. He threw 6 scoreless innings against them on August 9th. He also boasts a 2.08 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 30.1 IP through 5 August starts. Kelly ranks 3rd in the NL and 4th in the MLB with a 2.97 ERA.
Kershaw starts for the Dodgers. He just returned from an IL stint on August 10th, making 3 starts since then. He pitched 5 innings allowing 1 ER in two and then 1 ER over 2IP his last time out. His most recent start was cut short by rain. Just an inconvenience as he attempts to build up his arm strength. Also puts him out of rhythm.
Only throwing 33 pitches the start prior and having a fresh arm sounds like a good thing but Kershaw just had 1.5 months of rest, he's attempting to ramp back up and get into a grove. You'll notice pitchers struggle right after the All-Star Break despite throwing well leading up to it. The extended break, even though its just 7-8 days for some is enough to throw a pitcher off.
Arizona's also plenty familiar with Kershaw. They put up 4 runs on 7 hits, 1 HBP, and 2 Walks the last time they faced him. Diamondbacks should be able to work him and ideally get into the bullpen by inning number 5. Kershaw has yet to throw more than 71 pitches since his IL return and with a lengthy injury history, the Dodgers will be careful. It's all about having Kershaw ready for the post-season. With a 13 game lead in the division, they won't push him.
After last night's loss the Diamondbacks are now 12-4 over their last 16 games and averaging 5.6 runs per game over that span. The LAD just took the season series lead at 6-5 too. They're tied up 3-3 at Chase Field but LAD leads 3-2 at Home. Yesterday's loss gave the D-backs bullpen a chance to reload. They only used one relieve where the LAD on the other hand pitched Ryan Brasier and Caleb Ferguson for the 2nd day in a row. Those 2 will be unavailable.
