Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks

Kershaw Returns To Face Struggling Phillies

After spending nearly a month on the DL for biceps tendinitis, Clayton Kershaw will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation in the series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The Dodgers hope the time away, treatment and some mechanical tweaks will help Kershaw fix the decreased velocity that plagued him through the first month of the season.

SHARK BITES
  • Aaron Nola has held opponents to 1 run or none in 4 of his 5 starts this month.
  • The Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home vs the Phillies.
  • Rhys Hoskins is expected to be placed on the DL after fracturing his jaw on Wednesday.

That is not to say Kershaw had been pitching particularly poorly, as the southpaw has a solid 2.86 ERA through his first seven starts. That being said, his strikeout rate is down, his WHIP is way up and he has already surrendered seven home runs.

Kershaw does have the luxury of facing a Phillies team that has been struggling at the plate recently. Philadelphia is hitting just .215 with 117 strikeouts to 37 walks over its last 12 games. That means the Phillies are striking out an average of 9.8 times per game since May 18. In addition, though there aren’t many of them, the members of the Phillies who have faced Kershaw in their careers are a collective 4-for-35 with 11 strikeouts.

Kershaw better be in fine form, though, because he will be opposed by Aaron Nola, who has asserted himself as one of the best young pitchers in baseball this season. Nola ranks in the top five in the National League in ERA, WHIP, innings pitched and WAR for pitchers. During the month of May alone, the 24-year-old has a 1.91 ERA and has held opponents to one run or none in four of five starts.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to pick the visiting Philadelphia Phillies before the first pitch in this match found them as +199 moneyline underdogs earlier today at Sportsbook. They saw the OVER/UNDER total of 6.5 earlier at Sportsbook.

OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 4.0-3.0 victory for the Phillies. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Los Angeles Dodgers sport a record of 26-29 heading into this matchup, while the Philadelphia Phillies sit at 30-23 on the season. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Los Angeles vs Philadelphia injuries news.

The Dodgers sit at No. 12 in the current MLB power poll here at OddsShark, while the Phillies sit at No. 4 on the same chart.

Statistical Matchup

On offense, it's a battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and their No. 13-rated batting order, averaging 4.35 runs per nine innings, and the No. 10 lineup of the Philadelphia Phillies at 4.45 runs per outing.

Los Angeles owns the No. 9 defense, allowing 3.64 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Philadelphia's No. 6-rated defense.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Phillies were saddled with a loss last time out in Zach Eflin's start, as they lost 8-2 against Los Angeles on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

Betting Trends
  • Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
  • Philadelphia is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
  • Los Angeles is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
  • Los Angeles is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
  • Los Angeles is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games at home
  • Los Angeles is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Philadelphia at San Francisco, Friday, June 1
Los Angeles at Colorado, Friday, June 1

Aaron Nola has held opponents to 1 run or none in 4 of his 5 starts this month.away The Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home vs the Phillies.home Rhys Hoskins is expected to be placed on the DL after fracturing his jaw on Wednesday.away
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