[5:30 PM] Dodgers @ Nationals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Dodgers

@ Washington Nationals

 

Starting Pitchers:

Kershaw (LAD): 12-4; 1.69 ERA

Scherzer (WSH) 20-7; 2.96 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-4

Washington Nationals: 5-5

 

Current odds:

Los Angeles Dodgers: (-145)

Washington Nationals: (+135)

 

ESPN simulations have Los Angeles as XX% favorites to win the game.

XX% of sports bets are currently on Washington to win as (XX) favorites.

Everybody agrees that Clayton Kershaw is one of the top pitchers in baseball but his postseason history hasn’t come close to matching his regular season success. The left-hander gets another opportunity to alter his October reputation when the Los Angeles Dodgers open the National League Division Series against the host Washington Nationals on Friday.

Kershaw has thrived against Washington with a 10-2 mark and 2.02 ERA in 14 career appearances (13 starts), including a victory June 20 when he gave up one run and six hits over seven innings. The left-handed hitting Murphy smacked two homers off Kershaw in last season’s NLDS as a member of the New York Mets. Kershaw missed more than two months with back issues but finished the season strong by compiling an 0.72 ERA over his last four starts.

Scherzer didn’t face the Dodgers this season and is 2-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against Los Angeles. The 32-year-old won his past eight decisions and aims to carry his regular-season success into the postseason when he faces Kershaw.

The Dodgers went 5-1 against the Nationals in the regular season.

Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner hit 24 of his career-best 27 homers after the start of June.

Slumping Washington RF Bryce Harper, who homered once in his final 27 contests, is 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts against Kershaw.

StreakSmarts Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers

Confidence: 5/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick