Los Angeles (62-46) at Pittsburgh (62-44)
When: Friday, August 7th, 2015
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Time: 7:05 ET
TV: ESPN
The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers continue their Pennsylvania road trip in Pittsburgh tonight to take on the Pirates at PNC Park. The Dodgers have won 6 of their last 7 games and are 2.5 games ahead of the Giants in the National League West. The only negative in their recent winning streak is their bullpen. Over the last 10 games the bullpen has an ERA of 8.17. Luckily their offense has picked them up by scoring 5.5 runs a game in their last seven.
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The bullpen might get a rest tonight as Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the 22nd time this year. Don’t let the 9-6 record fool you. He has been as dominant as any pitcher recently besides his teammate Zack Greinke. He has not allowed a run since July 3rd, a span of 4 starts. The numbers are mind-boggling.
Last 6 starts: 48 innings pitched, 28 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 52 strikeouts
The Pirates are still hanging around in the National League Central, only 6 games behind St. Louis. They would love to win the division, but they do find themselves firmly atop the Wild Card standings. Pittsburgh can’t look ahead to Monday when they visit St. Louis, because they will have their hands full with the Dodgers pitching this weekend. The Pirates last faced Kershaw in 2013 and in 14 innings, they only scored once.
All-Star Gerrit Cole leads the Pirates pitching staff with a 14-5 record and 2.29 ERA. Cole has been great since the All-Star break despite his 1-2 record. He’s not getting any run support lately. He’ll probably have a tough time getting some tonight against Kershaw.
I’m not one who likes taking a big road favorite, but Kershaw will be too much for Pittsburgh tonight. Bite the bullet and lay the 140.
Pick: Dodgers -140
