Dodgers vs Phillies | Predictions

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
7:05 PM Thursday August 12 – MLBN
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Pitching Probables: Clayton Kershaw vs. Joe Blanton

Hi, remember us, we are the Los Angeles Dodgers. We were supposed to be a contender and it wasn’t that long ago we were actually in the race. Now we are in fourth place in our own division and mired in mediocrity. Clearly things are not working out as planned for L.A. and they are playing one of the hottest teams in the majors right now, on the road to boot. They are looking to rebound after last night’s loss behind ace Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw was roughed up in his last outing against the Nationals and the Phillies beat him twice last year. The kid has wicked stuff and the Phillies lineup is being configured differently with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley out so he might have a better shot at a victory in this one. When he is on he can dominate a game for sure…he’s just hasn’t done it for a while.

Just when things were really starting to click Ryan Howard gets a bum ankle putting a wrench into the Phillies offense. With Howard out the Phils have been getting by thanks to the increased production of Ross Gload (2 homers and 6 RBIs in the last week). Against a tough lefty like Kershaw, scrap heap veteran Mike Sweeney seems more likely to get the nod and the real point of all these obscure references is that lately, it seems like whoever they put in there is doing just enough to get the job done. That even includes starter Joe Blanton who continues to lower his hideous ERA with each start and is a perfect 1-0 against the Dodgers for his career. The Phillies have eliminated the Dodgers from the playoffs the last two seasons and by taking this series they will be helping to make sure they won’t even make it that far this year. I wouldn’t call it a rivalry but there is something there.

Prediction: Hard to bet against Philly these days even with Blanton on the mound. Good value here grabbing them as the underdog.

Phillies are +112 in this one and the O/U is set at 8.5.

Score Prediction:
Philadelphia Phillies – 6
Los Angeles Dodgers – 4

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Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends:

• LA Dodgers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road
• LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
• LA Dodgers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends:

• Philadelphia is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
• Philadelphia is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
• Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
• Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers