The Los Angeles Dodgers (84-37, 43-16 home) take on the Milwaukee Brewers (65-56, 34-32 away) in the second contest of a three-game series against two top teams in the National League.
Milwaukee blanked Los Angeles in the opener, ending with a 4-0 victory on Monday night. The Brewers own a 3-2 head-to-head record against the Dodgers this season.
The first pitch of Tuesday night’s contest is at 10:10 p.m. EST inside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is the betting favorite at -145, and the over-under total is seven runs.
What to Know – Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee has won their last two contests and remain in the Wild Card hunt in the NL. The Brewers held the top spot in the NL Central for most of the first half but have fallen five games back of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Looking to keep the Brewers winning is right-hander Corbin Burnes (9-5, 2.48 ERA, 0.93 WHIP). The ace of the Milwaukee pitching staff held the Dodgers to three earned runs over 5.2 innings in a victory in his last start. This year, the 27-year-old has pitched 148.2 innings, allowed 41 earned runs on 99 hits and 40 walks while striking out 187 batters.
Rowdy Tellez has left the yard six times in August, adding to his season tally of a team-high 26 home runs. Telez also leads the team with 74 runs driven in. Willy Adames is right behind the slugger with 24 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Christian Yelich has crossed home plate 78 times.
The Brewers score 4.5 runs per game and 23rd in the league, hitting .234 as a team. Milwaukee’s pitching staff ranks 11th in the majors with a 3.78 team earned run average.
What to Know – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers hope to bounce back Tuesday night after a rare home loss. L.A. has been one of the hottest teams in the second half, building a substantial advantage in the NL West and holding the best record in baseball.
The expected starting pitcher for Los Angeles is right-hander Tony Gonsolin (15-1, 2.12 ERA, 0.86 WHIP). Gonsolin has been a big surprise for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, tied for a major-leading 15 wins. The 28-year-old’s only loss came back in July, and the talented righty has won all four starts since.
Trea Turner has driven in 83 runs, and leadoff hitter Mookie Betts paces the team with 27 long balls in a lineup that is talented from top to bottom. Freddie Freeman is third among hitters with a .321 batting average and second on the team with 74 RBIs.
Los Angeles is third in the MLB batting .261 as a squad and averaging 5.3 runs per contest. The pitching staff for the Dodgers is the best in the majors showcasing a 2.84 team ERA.
The Pick is In
If you like pitching matchups, you’ll want to stay up for this one Tuesday night. Two of the top two arms in baseball go at it with Burnes and Gonsolin facing off. Los Angeles has dropped two straight just once in the second half, and it’s hard to see this lineup doing it again.
While the pitching cancels each other out, ride the home team with the better offense.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers ML
