Weekend Series Preview 6/13-6/15
San Francisco Giants (+175) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (-220)
Pick: GIANTS +175
Key Stat - Starting Pitcher ERA
Friday - Webb/Yamamoto - Giants WIN Logan Webb (5-5, 2.58 ERA) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4, 2.20 ERA) is an absolute marquee matchup to kick off the weekend. Both are legitimate aces, and while the Dodgers are heavy favorites at home, the Giants have been hot, winning 7 of their last 8 games. Webb is a workhorse who can neutralize the powerful Dodger lineup, and Yamamoto, while brilliant, is still a rookie facing a divisional rival for the first time. I like the Giants to ride their hot streak and steal the opener in a tight, low-scoring affair.
Saturday - Roupp/Kershaw - Dodgers WIN The Giants are slated to send out rookie Landen Roupp (4-4, 3.42 ERA) against the legendary Clayton Kershaw. While Roupp has been solid, facing Kershaw at Dodger Stadium is one of the toughest tasks in baseball. The Dodgers' offense, with Ohtani performing and Freeman rounding into form, is likely to give Kershaw run support against the less experienced Roupp. Look for the Dodgers to even the series here in a game where their veteran presence makes the difference.
Sunday - Harrison/May - Giants WIN This series comes down to a rubber match between two talented arms in Kyle Harrison (1-1, 4.56 ERA) for the Giants and Dustin May (3-4, 4.45 ERA) for the Dodgers. Both pitchers can be vulnerable, but Harrison has the swing-and-miss stuff (10.1 K/9) to navigate the Dodgers lineup. I like the Giants' scrappy, in-form offense to provide just enough run support against the inconsistent May. In a battle of the bullpens, the Giants pull off the series upset on the road.
Other series worth a look:
Yankees (-150) over Red Sox (+120)
Phillies (-170) over Blue Jays (+140)
Orioles (-145) over Angels (+115)