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MLB Betting – San Francisco vs. L.A. Preview & Pick

Shea weighs in with his MLB Free Pick for Thursday. It’s the Giants vs Dodgers matching up at Dodger Stadium,

MLB Betting – Giants vs Dodgers Preview & Pick

Before falling to the Dodgers on Tuesday night, the San Francisco Giants had rattled off eight straight victories, just enough to keep them alive in the National League West hunt.

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MLB Betting – Giants vs Dodgers Preview & Pick
Date: Thursday, September 22, 2011
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast: CSBA, FSPT
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Lines from BetUS.com
Odds: Dodgers -102, Over/Under 6.5

San Francisco Giants (83-71 through September 20)
Madison Bumgarner (12-12, 3.21)

The defending champs had fallen so far behind that the streak only pulled them to within 5.5 games of Arizona but, with a crucial three-game set with Arizona looming, all hope is not lost yet.

Youngster Madison Bumgarner will take the hill Thursday night for San Fran. He’s really starting to round into form as a dominant major-league starter. Over his last 10 outings, he has three starts with 10 or more strikeouts, six wins (including five straight) and has allowed two runs or fewer eight times. Bumgarner is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA over six career appearances (five starts) versus the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers (77-76 through September 20)
Hiroki Kuroda (12-16, 3.19)

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t been half bad of late, relishing the spoiler role and winning four straight games through Tuesday’s action. In the second half, their pitching finally returned to form and became the strength it was supposed to be. During the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak, they’ve allowed two or fewer runs in every game. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Hiroki Kuroda will face off against Bumgarner on Thursday. He’s been his usual efficient self this season, walking just 49 batters in 189 innings, but his homer rate has risen significantly since last season. Kuroda will have to tread carefully against reining NL Player of the Week Pablo Sandoval. Kung Fu Panda hit three doubles off Kuroda in a Giants win on September 11.

The pick:

Kuroda is a solid pitcher and the Giants don’t have a lot to threaten him with. But I still like the Giants on Thursday. The way Bumgarner is pitching, they may only need two or three runs to win. Sandoval can provide that.

Giants vs Dodgers prediction: Giants 3, Dodgers 2

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.