2012 Dodgers vs Cardinals Betting Predictions
The Dodgers arrived in St. Louis on Monday rejuvenated, and took Game 1, 5-3, to win their fifth straight.
Now they will look to keep things on track by trying to grab another win against the Cardinals in Game 3 of a four-game series on Wednesday.
LAD: Aaron Harang (7-5, 3.46 ERA) v STL: Kyle Lohse (10-2, 2.71 ERA)
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 8:15 PM ET
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO.
Broadcast: ESPN, KCAL (Los Angeles), FOX Sports Midwest (St. Louis)
Spread: Cardinals -145
Over/Under: 8.5
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Aaron Harang (7-5, 3.46 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle Lohse (10-2, 2.71 ERA)
Los Angeles had scored 33 runs in its five-game win streak after plating just 19 in its previous six games heading into Tuesday’s contest. And are getting surprise contributions from a couple of unexpected players, such as rookie shortstop Luis Cruz who belted a three-run homer in Game 1.
However, perennial slugger Matt Kemp is the biggest reason for L.A.’s resurgence. He is hitting .366 with two homers, six RBIs and six runs scored since he returned to the lineup nine games ago.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals bats have struggled for consistent wins.
Now, they will hope that there less-than-stellar run productivity can be compensated by solid pitching, and will turn to Kyle Lohse to get the job done against LA. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The 33-year old righty is having one of the finer campaigns of his career and has gone 4-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his previous six starts, with an overall record of 10-2.
Lohse also has a 24-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41 2/3 innings over that span and sits five wins shy of matching his career high.
He worked seven strong innings in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night, and will find himself opposite of 34-year-old veteran righty Aaron Harang who was not at his best Friday.
Harang surrendered three runs — one earned — in just five innings of work, but he was handed an early lead thanks to six runs through three innings that helped him get the win in a 7-6 game against the New York Mets.
He has a solid 3.46 ERA despite ranking sixth in the National League with 48 walks in 112 innings, by far the worst walk rate of Harang’s 11-year career.
Something he will need to turn around quickly as he faces a Cardinals’ team that currently leads the National League in walks and on-base percentage.
Matt’s Free Prediction: St. Louis-I like the Cards in this one as Lohse gets it done on the mound.
