The Padres may have won yesterday to break their losing streak but they are still struggling greatly this season. They are already 6 games back in the standing of the N.L. West standings and will need more than just fire in their bellies to overcome.
Many on the experts believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are primed for a deep run all the way to the World Series this season, but only time will tell whether or not all this high-priced talent can come together as a team to get the job done.
The Dodgers are only 4-6 in their last 10 games and they now trail the San Francisco Giants by 5 games in the NL West. After getting back in the division race the D-Backs are now 10 games back of the Giants.
The Dodgers have been struggling lately and going losing 3 straight and 6 of their last 10 games. They are 1/2 game out of first place behind the Giants, but since San Fran is also struggling the NL West is now a 3-team race with the red-hot Diamondbacks only 2 games out.
After really struggling before and just after the All Star break the Dodgers are back on track and they are riding a 5-game winning streak. There is a good chance they will win their 6th straight with reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
While the Phillies have won 2 straight they are only 3-7 in their last 10 games and they are 14 games out of first place in the NL East. If Philly does not start winning they may shelve the season and trade away some of their key players.
A few weeks ago the Dodgers had the best record in baseball and everything was looking great. Now, the Dodgers are in a tailspin and looking like a team destined to head back to the .500 mark.
There isn’t a more heated rivalry in baseball than the Dodgers vs. the Giants. The bad blood between these two runs extremely deep.
The Dodgers have cooled down just a bit, but they still enter this game with the best record in baseball.
How good is this pitching matchup? The posted total here is set at a mind boggling 5.5 runs. Sure, totals have come down over the last few years, but 5.5 runs as a game total is ridiculous.
The Mariners used 6 pitchers to no hit the Dodgers on Friday night. Whats in store for Saturday?
The Dodgers have the best record in the Majors and they are red-hot riding a 5-game winning streak. They won last night’s game in the desert against the D-Backs, who are only 4-6 in their last 10 games.
The Dodgers sit six games ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the National League West, but Matt Kemp is on the disabled list and many wonder if they can keep winning.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Mets MLB Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles (Harang) vs. San Diego (Volquez)
Date/Time: May 17, 10:05 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: San Diego (-125) Los Angeles (+115)
Runline: Padres -1.5 (+180) Dodgers +1.5 (-210)
Total: 6.5
San Diego is just 14-24 on the season, and they are already 10.5 games out of first place.
The Padres did take the first game last night. Can they take this game behind their Ace Edinson Volquez?
The Dodgers offense really had been revolving around Matt Kemp, so it was a major problem when he went down with an injury. Andre Ethier is also having a terrific season, and now even more pressure is going to fall on his shoulders. Ethier leads the team with 34 RBI’s, and he is hitting .301. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Bobby Abreu was cut loose by the Angels earlier this year, and he’s getting lots of playing time for the Dodgers. If Abreu can become a solid contributor that could really help the Dodgers chances. Aaron Harang returns back to San Diego to pitch against his old team in this contest.
Edinson Volquez started the season a little shaky, but he has been very good of late. He has only allowed more than three runs once this year.
He led the Padres to a win over Roy Halladay and the Phillies in his last start. Volquez walks too many batters, but he has been able to get away with it because he is keeping the ball in the ballpark.
San Diego’s offense averages just 3.26 runs per game. Yonder Alonso has been a bright spot for the team so far this year, and he may be a guy they can build their team around in the future. Cameron Maybin and Orlando Hudson are both struggling mightily, and this team needs them to pick up their production.
The Dodgers offense isn’t good at all without Kemp in the middle of the order. Volquez should fare well against Los Angeles this time around.
MLB Free Pick: Padres ML
The Giants have won 2 straight and are in 2nd place in the NL West and even though the Dodgers are coming off a loss they are 10-2 at home this season and their starter for tonight in Ted Lilly has an ERA below 1.40. MLB lines have the Dodgers as the home favorite tonight.
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Hard to believe, as some of us still have VERY cold temperatures outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams have started reporting to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
