MLB Betting – Giants, Dodgers Battle For Second Place

The Giants and the Dodgers are trying to leap-frog each other into sole possession of 2nd place in the NL West. Neither team is playing very well; the Giants have lost six-of-nine, while the Dodgers have dropped eight of their last ten games. 

MLB Game Odds:
Los Angeles Dodgers -105
Chad Billingsley – (R)
San Francisco Giants -115
Barry Zito – (L)

Run Line:
Dodgers +1.5 -220
Giants -1.5 +180

Total:
O 7.5 -105
U 7.5 -115

Location: AT&T Park – San Francisco, CA
Game Time: Monday, June 28th, 2010 – 10:15 PM EST
TV: KCAL, CSBA 

The Week That Was: Dodgers

The Dodgers’ week began with a three-game interleague series against their cross-city rival LA Angels. The Dodgers, already on a four-game losing streak, couldn’t stop the bleeding, dropping the first two games of the series. However the Dodger bats came alive in the finale, knocking 15 hits in a 10-6 win over the Angels.  

Next came a series with another rival, albeit one from a different era; the New York Yankees. The Yanks took the pitching duel that was game one, as C.C. Sabathia pitched eight incredible innings en route to a 2-1 win. Dodger starter Vincente Padilla was solid, going seven innings, striking out seven and allowing just two runs. Los Angeles won game two, and seemed to have the series in hand in the rubber match Sunday night, but the bullpen blew it big time. Up 6-2 in the ninth, Jonathon Broxton allowed four runs as the Yankees tied the game. A two-run shot by Robinson Cano in the 10th was enough to win it for New York, 8-6.  

The Week That Was: Giants

San Francisco’s week started with a win. Tim Lincecum pitched a gem against Houston as the Giants topped the Astros 3-1. However it would go downhill from there, as the Giants would drop the next two games to one of the worst teams in the National League. What made it worse was that the losses came when two of San Fran’s best pitchers (Barry Zito and Matt Cain) were on the mound. Both were credited with losses after sub-par outings.  

It didn’t get any easier for San Fran when they welcomed the surging Red Sox to town next. Although the Giants were able to snag a win in game one, they were completely overwhelmed in the final two games, losing both. Sunday’s finale was the heartbreaker, as Lincecum was outdueled by Sox starter Jon Lester in an eventual 5-1 Giants loss.  

The Matchup

Chad Billingsley is making his first start since June 11th after a stint on the 15-day DL; Billingsley hit the injury list after straining his groin. Billingsley’s poor stats are one of the reasons the Dodgers find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoff race. A lot was expected from the fifth-year pro, but a 6-4 record with a 4.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP just isn’t good enough for a potential ace. His last start was an ugly one, as he allowed seven runs in just 5 2/3 innings of work.  

Barry Zito started the season hot, but recently he has seen his production drop. In his last seven starts, Zito is 1-3 and has seen his ERA rise from 2.15 to 3.45. His overall numbers are still fantastic, but the domination he possessed at the beginning of the season just isn’t there anymore. However, he is still a great pitcher and can be counted on for at least a solid effort in every start. Against a struggling team like the Dodgers, a solid effort may be enough.  

MLB Betting Pick: San Francisco Giants