The LA Dodgers (20-15 Overall, 7-9 Away) play the Colorado Rockies (23-13 Overall, 12-8 Home) tonight as Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw (5-2, 2.40 ERA) takes the mound in an attempt to notch his 20th win against the Rockies. Along with this being a potentially big night for Kershaw, it’s a big night for the NL West second place Dodgers. They’d like a win so they can move on game closer to the West-leading Rockies. The Rockies and Dodgers are both seven of their last 10, while Colorado has a two-game winning streak and the Dodgers lost their last game 10-7 on Thursday night to the Rockies. For our Dodgers play Rockies 2017 MLB free pick, LA is at -182, Colorado at +175 and the over is at -115 and under comes in at -105.
Pitching
As noted, lefty Kershaw will start for the Dodgers. He’s tops for the Dodgers thus far this season in wins, ERA, and strikeouts with 53. This season he’s averaging just over seven innings per start. Kershaw is 4-1 over his last five starts. In his last start, which was against San Diego on May 6, he gave up one run on five hits over 7.1 IP. He allowed four walks and struck out nine in that game. The Rockies did beat him earlier this season at Coors field 4-2. Against Colorado this season he’s 1-1 with an ERA of 4.15.
Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.74ERA) gets the start for Colorado. Against Los Angeles, Chatwood is 4-6 with a 3.52 ERA in 11 career starts. This is the first time he’s facing them this season. In 2016 versus LA, he went 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA in four starts. His last start was on May 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, In that hame, Chatwood allowed one run on two hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out five and notched the win in a 5-2 victory.
Hitting
In the hitting department, LA’s Justin Turner is tops with a .364 BA. He;s driven in 15 runs thus far and has 11 doubles. With a .322 mark, Cody Bellinger is proving to be an asset. He has six homers and 17 RBI. Corey Seager is tied with Bellinger for the club lead in RBI. He’s smacked five round-trippers. Yasmani Grandal has a solid .276 BA and has seven doubles, four homers and 16 RBI.
Rockies’ slugger Mark Reynolds is making it all happen. He batting .339 and has 12 homeruns and 31 RBI. Left-handed batter Alexi Amarista (.324 BA) may see action tonight against Kershaw. Look for Nolan Arenado to possibly do some damage tonight. Over the past seven days, he’s hitting .400 and his average for the season is .309 with 24 RBI and eight homers. Charlie Blackmon, who’s batting .291, leads the team in RBI with 27.
Dodgers Play Rockies 2017 MLB Free Pick
If Kershaw does win tonight, he’ll be the first MLB pitcher to notch 20 wins against the Rockies. Presently with 19, he’s tied with Randy Johnson for the most versus Colorado. This is really a game about Kershaw, will he have his stuff tonight? I’m going to say yes. Our Dodgers play Rockies 2017 MLB free pick is LA at -182. We’re also taking the under at 10 runs for -105. Tonight’s game is at 8:40 p.m. E.T.
Dodgers Play Rockies 2017 MLB Free Pick: Dodgers at -182, under 10 runs for -105
