After a series against the Nationals, it doesn’t get any easier for the New York Mets (48-45, $273) on Thursday as they kick off a four game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-41, -$903).
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Dodgers are 12-games above .500, but as evidenced by the money (-$903), the Dodgers have been anything but a good bet this season.
Los Angeles has all the talent in the world, but they’ve underperformed according to the market’s expectations. That is especially true on the road where the Dodgers are just 20-24. Still, of late the team has played well, winning six of nine.
On the other side, the Mets get to play at home which is key for them. They’re 32-14 at home, but just 16-31 on the road.
PITCHING MATCHUP
With so much young talent in the rotation, Bartolo Colon has become the biggest question mark in the Mets’ rotation.
The 42-year old right-hander may finally be showing his age as his ERA has ballooned to 6.18 since June 18. He’s also allowed seven runs in two of his last five starts.
On the year, Colon is 9-8 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.280 WHIP in 109 1/3 innings. Despite a long career, Colon has only faced the Dodgers six times and is 2-4 with a 6.03 ERA, allowing 47 hits in 37 1/3 innings.
While things look ominous for the Mets with Colon on the hill, they get worse. The Dodgers have yet to announce their starters for the Mets’ series, but Thursday’s series opener figures to be Clayton Kershaw’s turn in the rotation.
Kershaw has not been quite as dominant this year as in years past, but he is still 7-6 with a 2.68 ERA and 0.985 WHIP through his first 131 innings.
While Kershaw’s ERA and WHIP are slightly higher than they’ve been over the previous four seasons, his strikeout per nine innings ratio is at an all-time high and league leading 12, giving him a league high 174 total strikeouts.
While Kershaw’s numbers are a bit inflated for him, they’re still amongst the best in the league. To make matters worse for NY, Kershaw appears to be back to his old self, allowing no runs in his last two games while throwing a combined 17 innings. Over his last four, he’s allowed only two runs in 31 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE
For those watching the Mets, the offense has been frustrating. Terry Collins spoke to that on Friday, saying:
“We’ve got to do a better job with guy son base and guys in scoring position with putting better swings on the ball. That’s been our nemesis all year long. You go through our numbers today, we’re last in the league in RBIs and last in the league in runs scored, and there’s a reason for that. And that is, we’re getting guys on, we’re just not driving them in.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Mets play well at home and are in the hunt for a playoff spot, but their offense has been holding them back.
At the plate, New York is terrible. They’re averaging just 3.43 runs per game, ranking No. 29 in baseball. In their four games since the All-Star break, they’ve scored more than two runs only once after plating three on Sunday.
The Mets’ batting leader right now is Juan Lagares at .255 and Lucas Duda (.758 OPS) and Curtis Granderson (.771 OPS) are the only active players with an OPS north of .712.
On the other side of the field, the Dodgers have just two active players with an OPS below that .712 mark: Jimmy Rollins (.581) and Alberto Callaspo (.632) who has just 75 at bats. Other than those two, the entire team has put up superior offensive numbers. It’s actually surprising the team hasn’t scored more than they have.
PROP TALK
Collectively, the Dodgers have hit five home runs against Colon and Adrian Gonzalez has two of them.
The veteran first baseman and heart of the lineup is 9 for 21 against him overall with those two homers and two doubles. In addition to Gonzalez, Andre Ethier has also seen the ball well from Colon. He has only six career at bats against him, but has collected three hits: a single, a double and a homer.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Bartolo Colon has struggled of late while Kershaw has been almost unhittable. That is one in the favor of the Dodgers. Add in a superior offense, serviceable bullpen and a defense that has made the fewest errors in baseball and it’s hard to see the Mets overcoming that, even with home field advantage.
Los Angeles 6, New York 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2015, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
