Diamondbacks vs Dodgers MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
After mixed results to start the month of May, the Dodgers seem to be peaking at the right time, coming off a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies as they prepare to face off against another division rival, the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first of a quick tw0-game set on Monday in Los Angeles.
ARI: Ian Kennedy (3-2, 3.91 ERA ) v LAD: Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 2.56 ERA)
Date/Time: Monday, May 14, 2012, 10:10 PM ET
Venue: Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles
Broadcast: FSAZ (Arizona), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
Spread: Dodgers -148
Over/Under: OFF
After a promising start to the 2012 campaign, the Diamondbacks (15-20) have fallen 8 1/2 games out of first, losing nine of their last 12 games.
Their two-round bout with Los Angeles will kick off a seven-game road trip, which might be a good thing considering the team has lost 12 of its last 15 at Chase Field.
They will turn to 26-year old USC product Ian Kennedy, who is also a victim of one of those home losses, being shelled by the Cardinals on Tuesday. Kennedy gave up six runs and surrendered two homers over the seven innings for his second straight loss. His ERA is now at 3.91.
Still, he has made five quality starts, and was almost perfect in four starts against Los Angeles a year ago, going 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA.
He may get a little help too, as MVP candidate Matt Kemp, who was forced to leave Sunday in the third inning against Colorado with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, may not be ready for Monday’s lineup card.
Kemp leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs and a .359 average. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
However, if Kemp does indeed land on the DL, it could only give a greater role for the newly acquired Bobby Abreu, who had a three-run double in Sunday’s 11-5 win over the Rockies.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers (23-11) will take no chances as they send 2011 NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw to the bump.
Kershaw was the unlucky loser in his last start, after allowing just two runs over eight innings in the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Giants last Tuesday.
The hard slinging lefty is 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 10 starts against the Diamondbacks, while limiting Arizona hitters to a .191 average.
Not good news for the Dbacks’ Justin Upton who is batting 6-for-38 (.158) in his last 10 games.
In fact, it’s not good news for an entire Arizona lineup that is averaging just three runs and hitting just .236 during its 2-9 stretch.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Los Angeles–With or without Kemp, the Dodgers take this one at home.
