The Los Angeles Dodgers try to bring out the brooms in the final game of a three game set in Arizona. Entering the series 4.5 games back of the Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West, the Dodgers have a chance to pull within 1.5 games in the division by continuing their torrid run over the past month or so of the season. Hyun-Jin Ryu goes for LA against rookie Tyler Skaggs for the home team. Vegas oddsmakers have listed this game as a pick’em with a total of nine.
Free Pick
It’s tough to stand out in a rotation that contains Clayton Kershaw but I don’t think Hyun-Jin Ryu really concerns himself with being overshadowed by
the flashy left-hander. The quiet Korean southpaw is putting together a phenomenal season in his first season with the Dodgers. Ryu is 7-3 with a 2.82 ERA and has a chance to cash in on another great start Wednesday evening against a Diamondbacks lineup that is struggling to produce at a very high rate lately. Ryu has started against the Snakes twice already this season and has been less than stellar, going 12 innings and surrendering 17 hits to go along with six runs. Ryu has not been on top of his game in either starts, giving up many more hits than he is typically used to. The fact that Ryu has limited damage in each outing gives me a lot of confidence to say he will solve the Arizona lineup in his third try and spin a great game for Los Angeles. Of the 17 hits Ryu conceded to Arizona, 15 have been singles so Arizona is not slugging the ball against Ryu. Don’t expect those balls to continue finding the holes and for them to turn into outs.
After a great start against Texas to begin his MLB career, Tyler Skaggs struggled in two consecutive starts before turning in a nice outing against Colorado last week. Skaggs has a nice mold and should become a solid starter on day but he doesn’t have the consistency or the repeatability yet to turn in solid performance after solid performance. Obviously, there is no career experience for any Dodger batters but I expect the right-handers of Los Angeles to come out and carry the lineup to scrap across a few runs. Look for Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig to slug LA to a victory in what should be a low scoring affair.
There’s lots of value with both the side and the total in this one. I do like the under and I would choose to play a 9.5 if the number is still out there. It’s gone at most shops after opening movement so I opt with the road team in this one. The Dodgers are too hot and Ryu is too good in this spot to not back LA.
Free Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers PK
arizona diamondbacks • hyun-jin ryu • la dodgers • puig • tyler skaggs