Overview
The LA Dodgers are in St Louis for game 4 of their 5 game playoff series with the Cardinals. St Louis won the first game of the series in a wild 10-9 game while the Dodgers bounced back taking the second game and the Cardinals took game three for a 2-1 series lead. During the regular season the Dodgers won 4 of the 7 meetings but they are still just 18-41 in the last 59 meetings in St Louis. The Cardinals have also done well against Kershaw over the past few seasons winning 6 of the last 8 meetings he has started for the Dodgers.
Head to Head Trends
Dodgers are 18-41 in the last 59 meetings in St. Louis.
Dodgers are 2-6 in Kershaws last 8 starts vs. Cardinals.
St Louis Cardinals (+150)
The St Louis Cardinals finished 1st in the National League Central with a 90-72 record. The Cardinals don’t have the best offense hitting 2.48 as a team and averaging 3.84 runs per game and they were also second last in homeruns with 105. The Cardinals do however have a very good pitching staff allowing just 3.73 runs per game. At home the Card’s do hit a lot better averaging 4.09 runs per game and their defense is about the same as on the road averaging 3.77 runs per game. Starting for the Cardinals today is Shelby Miller who is 10-9 with a 3.74 ERA on the season.
St Louis Cardinals Trends
LA Dodgers (-160)
Cardinals are 7-0 in their last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Cardinals are 36-16 in their last 52 home games.
The LA Dodgers finished 1st in the National League West with a 94-68 record. The Dodgers have arguably the best offense in the National League averaging 4.43 runs per game. The Colorado Rockies actually average 4.70 runs per game but they play in the thin air of Denver so their numbers are a little inflated. On the hill for the Dodgers today is lefty Clayton Kershaw who is 21-4 with a 2.06 ERA on the season. Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball all season and is going to win the Cy Young but he has had trouble with the Cardinals and he’s pitching on short rest today so I don’t see him being as dominant as he usually is.
LA Dodgers Trends
Dodgers are 0-5 in their last 5 playoff road games.
Dodgers are 37-14 in Kershaws last 51 starts.
Conclusion
I actually like the Cardinals to win and eliminate the Dodgers from the playoffs. Kershaw for some reason struggles against the Cardinals and pitching today on short rest I can’t see him doing any better so I’m going with St Louis as a nice big +150 home dog.
Free Pick: St Louis Cardinals +150
