The Los Angeles Dodgers visit in-state rival the San Francisco Giants later today for the second game of a three game series. The Dodgers started the season as one of the league’s top teams and remained in first place in the National League West for most of the first half of the season. San Francisco however has now taken first place and will look to extend their two game lead over the Dodgers with a win today at AT&T Park.
On Friday, the Dodgers defeated the Giants 5-3 with the help of newly acquired Hanley Ramirez. He hit a 10th inning home run to lift the Dodgers to victory. The Dodgers season record is 54-47 and the win ended a three game losing streak for LA. With the home run on Friday, Ramirez how has 4 hits in 11 at bats since joining the Dodgers just three game ago.
Los Angeles will give the ball today to Chad Billingsley. The right-hander is 5-9 on the season with an ERA of 4.15. His last start ended in victory, but was his first win his is last six appearances. He has lost four consecutive starts at AT&T Park and has not won there in five years.
The Giants will counter Billingsley with veteran Barry Zito. Zito is 8-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.75. However, over his past five starts, Zito’s ERA has fallen to 2.25. The southpaw gave up five hits and three runs in seven innings last Sunday against Philadelphia. This season he is 1-1 against Los Angeles.
Dodgers star Matt Kemp has a career average of .449 versus Zito with two home runs. However, he has one hit in his last 17 at bats and was hitless in five at bats in Friday’s game.
The line is a tossup with both teams sitting at -110. The run total is resting at 7.5. Smart money is taking the Dodgers to win and cut another game off the Giants’ lead. Take LA to win, with the run total cashing out to those who take the OVER.
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