Kershaw, Strasburg wrap up day’s action
One of the most highly anticipated pitching duels of the season unfolds the West Coast’s main stage in a few hours. Will Clayton Kershaw or Steven Strasburg come out on top tonight?
Los Angeles and Washington’s respective aces kick off a three-game series at 10:10 p.m. ET, with oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI turning against the majors’ lone undefeated starter. Strasburg’s Nationals are +175 underdogs, whereas Kershaw and the Dodgers represent 1.5-run favorites. The over/under run figure currently sits at six.
Strasburg’s been nothing short of masterful all year, making the Nats’ recent decision to give him a long-term contract extension seem like a no-brainer. The former first overall pick boasts a staggering118 strikeouts, good for third in the bigs, while conceding only 24 free passes. He also enters thois evening’s tussle with a .220 OBA.
Nonetheless, Kershaw diehards probably at such numbers. That’s because their guy has somehow been even better. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner owns an MLB-best 1.58 ERA and 133 punchouts. Oh, and there’s the little matter of foes hitting just .170 off him. Thrown in the fact that Kershaw has allowed a mere seven walks, and you’re examining possibly one of the greatest starts to a campaign by any thrower in the modern era.
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Will these two clubs be able to eke out a combined six runs? It’s an impossibly low total, which is why we think that Strasburg could run into just a trace of trouble in an away setting. Strap yourselves in for a terrific battle, however, and one that Los Angeles truly needs to secure.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: NATIONALS/DODGERS OVER 6 RUNS
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