Baseball Series Wagering - Halos at Dodgers

In Southern California, it is simply known as the I-5 Freeway Series when these two teams meet annually in interleague action. The interstate is known for its sprawling expanse and both teams play has resembled this roadway. Early in the season both Los Angeles’ teams played like they were stuck in neutral playing very ordinary baseball. However recently, both are like a car that just cleared an accident area, where the road opens up and you can punch the accelerator and take out off.

The Dodgers (36-24, +5.8 units) have been the best team in baseball since May 9, posting a 23-7 record to storm back and recapture first place in the NL West. The Dodgers offense has been relatively steady most of the season and ranks fifth in the National League; however it has been its pitching that has been the difference-maker. They have held opposing teams to three runs or less in 18 of last 30 games and moved from 14th to 8th in ERA in the senior circuit, now at 3.95. Joe Torre’s club doesn’t exactly have a collection of Golden Glover’s; nevertheless they are 15-3 after two straight games where they committed zero errors this season.

The Angels (33-30, +2.3) lost key members in the offseason via free agency and were expected to contend, not control the AL West in 2010. They met the lower expectations set for them playing below .500 since the third game of the season and even their most thrilling moment of the campaign turned into calamity, when their best hitter Kendry Morales fractured his fibula jumping on home plate after smacking walk-off grand slam home run. Baseball experts on ESPN and MLB immediately wrote off the Halos, but they forgot about the manager, Mike Scioscia. Instead of folding, the Angels have persevered; winning 10 of last 13, to move into second place, 1.5 games behind Texas. They will start this series 15-3 in road games after six consecutive starts versus division rivals.

The Blue Crew will have a decided pitching edge in the opener, with Chad Billingsley (6-3, 3.80 ERA) meeting Joel Pineiro (4-6, 5.23). Billingsley is 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his last six starts and versus the Angels disharmonious bullpen (4.88, 1.664 WHIP), the home team is 10-1 against a horrible pen whose WHIP is 1.650 or worse over the last two seasons.

Pineiro snapped a personal three-game losing streak, but was far from impressive in permitting nine hits and four runs over six innings at Seattle in 9-4 triumph and is a disheveled 0-8 in interleague action the last two years. (Team's Record) It stands to reason for the Dodgers to be -164 money line favorite in the opener for online sports betting activists.

Game 1 Edge: Dodgers

If the term “opposites attract”, these teams are a perfect match. Like all cities that support two baseball organizations, when one team is home the other is on the road. That is the case here as the Dodgers are 8-2 on their longest homestand of the season with three games left. This in turn has the Angels away from the Big A for 14 road contests and they’ve held up well with 8-3 record thus far.

Interleague baseball seems to bring out the best and worst of each squad, as the team from Anaheim has one of the best records since 2007 with 39-18 (+17.6) mark. The team playing in Chavez Ravine is among the weakest in baseball at 21-30 (-11.75).

Scott Kazmir (5-5, 5.40) will take the ball for the Halos, having won three of his last four starts. He’s spotted his pitches better of late, but command is his worst enemy. After having a better than 2-to-1 ratio of strikes and walks for his career, he has 39 punch-outs and handed out 27 free passes this year. He’ll be relying on his club’s history that shows 19-7 interleague road record coming into the series.

John Ely (3-2, 3.00) might not throw in the high 90’s, however has displayed pitching acumen by throwing strikes and staying out of trouble. His pinpoint location has kept his team in games and the Dodgers are 6-2 when Ely starts.

Game 2 Edge: Dodgers

Jered Weaver (5-3, 3.20) seldom has two poor outings in a row and he was rocked for 12 hits and six runs his last time out in Oakland. Weaver is tied for the AL lead in K’s with 89 and is 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers. He’s been especially fond of Dodger Stadium with a 0.55 ERA in three outings and the Angels are 14-9 in day games this season.

Rookie Carlos Monasterios (3-0, 2.27) was forced into duty when Vicente Padilla went on disabled list and the Dodgers were really hurting for a fifth starter. Despite almost no experience at this level, Monasterious has thrown better than anyone could have imagined and his .215 batting average allowed is the lowest among first year pitchers with two or more starts in a season full of rookie pitchers making big introductions. The Dodgers began this series 23-10 at home.

Game 3 Edge: Angels

This should be an entertaining series with anything possible. The teams have split 12 encounters the last two seasons with the road club taking the series each time. The Dodgers are playing better baseball, have the better bullpen (Closer Jonathan Broxton has converted 15 straight save opportunities) and have been exceptional at home. If the games are tight, the team in the white uniforms is 15-6 in one run affairs, including 9-1 at home. Give the edge to the team from L.A., the one closer to Hollywood.

Series odds: Angels +140, Dodgers -180

3Daily Winners Pick: Dodgers

2010 Record – 3-6

Baseball Series Wagering - Dodgers vs Padres

Of the various Major League baseball series that had the possibility of being intriguing in the middle of May, this would not have been one of them before the season started. But much like “The little engine that could”, the San Diego Padres (+12.3 units) have the best record in the National League at 22-12 and also have the fattest lead of any division leaders at 3.5 games after sweeping San Francisco at their yard.

Last season a messy divorce between owner John Moores and his wife Becky left the Padres in limbo and the organization was cut to barest of minimums, except for the face of the franchise Adrian Gonzalez. Last year’s rag-a-muffin bunch won 75 games somehow, however most baseball experts considered that a fluke and oddsmakers put a cap of 71 wins on San Diego for 2010 with its new ownership that lacks deep pockets.

What has caused the Pads to be so good this season, tremendous pitching. San Diego leads the NL in ERA at 2.61, as they concede the lowest batting average at .221 and lowest on-base percentage at .291. Those numbers improve at spacious PETCO Park, where the Padres allow a mere 2.4 runs per game, which leads to 11-5 record.

Offensively, San Diego was last in most major categories a season ago and while this group doesn’t remind many of Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” of 1970’s, they are at least adequate at 4.3 RPG.

In the series opener, former Dodger John Garland (4-2, 1.71 ERA) will start for the Padres. “Garland has done a heck of a job,” Los Angeles manager Joe Torre told the Dodgers’ official website. “He’s a good guy to settle down a young staff. He’s simple: ‘Just give me the ball.’”

With the L.A. offense scoring 5.3 RPG, San Diego is 9-1 vs. NL teams scoring 5.3 or more runs game on the year and is a -140 money line favorite with total Ov7.5. Garland last pitched on Saturday and is 11-1 UNDER when working on five or six days rest over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

The Dodgers will give the ball to Ramon Ortiz (1-1, 5.16) who is making his first start since May, 26, 2007 after 14 relief appearances this season having spent 2008 in Japan and 2009 in Triple-A.

“It’s been a long time, almost two years,” Ortiz said. “I’m a very positive guy. I knew I could do this, being back in the big leagues.”

Game 1 Edge: San Diego

While much of the state of California wants to boycott Arizona, don’t count the Dodgers (-5.7) among them, after sweeping the Diamondbacks into downtown Phoenix, giving them four straight wins and six of seven to square up their record at 17-17. Los Angeles ownership is going thru the same thing San Diego did as Frank and Jamie McCourt are involved in bitter divorce proceedings which includes who actually owns the team.

Though the Dodgers are second in the league in runs scored, they have a team ERA of 4.68, which is 12th in the senior circuit, very un-Dodger like. Because of the divorce, GM Ned Colletti is unable to make any moves that might improve their pitching and is scrambling for five reliable starters and an inconsistent bullpen.

One of the more dependable starters has been Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 3.96) who once again followed up with brilliance off a stinker. He threw just 1 1/3 innings against Milwaukee in allowing seven runs and followed that up with eight shutout innings on two hits and nine strikeouts against Colorado his last time out. The Dodgers are 8-2 when the young lefty pitches the second game of a series and are 27-11 on Saturday’s.

Kevin Correia (4-2, 3.97) takes the ball for the Friars, who have averaged 9.2 runs in his six starts. Correia in fact is 20-0 when his team totals four or more runs in his career. San Diego is 5-0 when he the middle game starting pitcher and they are perfect 7-0 against left-handed opposing hurlers since Apr. 20. Correia will pitch with heavy heart, since his brother was tragically killed in hiking accident last week.

Game 2 Edge: Los Angeles

At press time, Wade LeBlanc (2-0, 1.61) is not officially listed as the starting pitcher for the Padres, though it is his turn in the rotation. The easy tossing port-sider finished last season outstanding and has continued into this year. LeBlanc’s fastball seldom hits 90 MPH, but his late-breaking curveball and devastating change-up causes a large number of ugly swings. This will be the only day game in the series and if he starts as presumed, LeBlanc has 0.82 ERA in two daytime contests.

With L.A.’s lack of maneuverability, the one pitcher Torre needed was Chad Billingsley (3-2, 4.82) who has not had command most of the season. Off last year’s second half fade, Torre has a quick hook for Billingsley, who has yet to pitch past six innings this season for a club that needs extended outings to protect what has been mediocre bullpen work. The right-hander is 8-4 with a 2.71 ERA in his career against the Padres, 3-2 with a 2.77 ERA at PETCO Park.

Game 3 Edge: San Diego

This I-5 series will be surrounded by ample excitement with Saturday’s conflict a sell-out and the other two contests either will be or very close to. This will be a good test for both clubs still early in the 2010 campaign as a gauge to where they are in the division. As long as San Diego doesn’t get too excited, their superior pitching should be enough to capture the series.

Series odds: Los Angeles Even, San Diego -130

3Daily Winners Pick: San Diego

2010 Record – 2-3

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L.A. favored over soaring Redbirds

Last night’s St. Louis and Los Angeles contest had all the drama and intensity of a playoff game, with the Cardinals coming out on top 3-2 as -160 money line road favorites behind Chris Carpenter. This evening, the roles will be reversed, with the Dodgers the larger favorite and trying to find magic formula that worked earlier this season.

The Dodgers (70-49, +11.2 units) have lost seven of 10 games, seeing their lead in the NL West dwindle to 4.5-games and now have the same amount of losses as Philadelphia in the National League, jeopardizing their hold of the best record in the senior circuit.

It’s been an impotent offense that has hurt the Dodgers. Take away the two nine run explosions that resulted in victories and L.A. has totaled 20 runs in the other eight games (2.5 runs per outing). Matters have been made worse with starting pitchers being mildly ineffective and injuries creeping up.

Tonight’s starter, Chad Billingsley (11-6, 3.73 ERA) hasn’t pitched in 11 days due to left hamstring strain and will have to be watched cautiously. Billingsley hasn’t had much success against St. Louis with 0-2 record, with a 5.23 ERA in four starts, including being rocked for six runs and walking six in 5 2/3 innings of a 10-0 Redbirds whitewashing. The Dodgers have lost Billingsley’s last four home starts against teams with winning record.

St. Louis (68-52, +6.2 units) is making all those trade deadline pickups work and has won nine of last 10 contests. Manager Tony LaRussa’s offense has been improved with Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa, however the pitching has been brilliant in allowing just over three runs per game during this stretch.

It was evident in last night’s contest the confidence the Cardinals are playing with and tonight’s starter Mitchell Boggs (1-1, 3.78) has given the Cards a chance to win. Though he was roughed in suffering first loss of the season last week against Cincinnati, the 25-year old right-hander has kept his team in the game and they have won five of his six starts in 2009. Boggs would become a permanent part of the rotation, but as has been the case in the past, 20 walks in just over 33 innings has made him less than trustworthy.

The Dodgers are 12-3 revenging a one run loss this season and sports bettors have moved them from -160 money line favorites at Bookmaker.com to -180, with the total Un8.5. L.A. has won 60 of last 86 games as a home favorite and is 12-4 OVER after allowing four runs or less four straight games this season.

St. Louis is decided underdog, yet is 14-3 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 and has the same record when they have on-base percentage of .375 or better over their last five games this season.

This battle of division leaders is set for 7:10 Pacific and is available for viewing in local markets and the Cards are 16-6 UNDER after a win by two runs or less this season.

Sunday Night Baseball Preview

With Jair Jurrjens taking the mound, the Atlanta Braves have a good chance to win their lone home series in a 17-day span. That will require a second straight victory over the best team in the majors as the Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers decide their three-game set Sunday night at Turner Field. These games are Atlanta’s only home contests between July 24 and Aug. 9, a stretch that came just as the Braves have won 11 of 14 at home. Jurrjens (9-7, 2.69 ERA) has won all three of his starts at Turner Field in that span, allowing one earned run and six hits in 20 2-3 innings.

Atlanta’s latest home loss was a 5-0 defeat in Friday’s series opener, but the Braves (53-51, -6.8 units) bounced back with a 4-3 victory Saturday afternoon, giving them their ninth win in last 12 games as home favorite.

With an offense that has been inconsistent for much of the year, Atlanta has relied on strong pitching—its 3.74 ERA is among the lowest in the majors—to stay within striking distance in the NL East and wild-card races. Derek Lowe turned in a quality start Saturday to win his first game against his former team.

Jurrjens has been perhaps the Braves’ best pitcher this season, with his ERA leading the team’s starters and ranking among the top six in the NL.

The right-hander has been especially hot lately; going 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA in his last four starts overall. He failed to win his fourth straight outing Tuesday against Florida, but still allowed just two runs in six innings of Atlanta’s 4-3 loss. He is 20-8 after a win over the last three seasons. (Braves Record)

Jurrjens beat the Dodgers twice last year, allowing two runs and eight hits in 13 innings and has won his last five starts against NL West clubs. He’ll again face Los Angeles’ Chad Billingsley after beating him in Atlanta’s 9-3 victory July 8, 2008.

The Dodgers (64-40, +17.6 units) aren’t feeling much heat with a comfortable lead in the NL West, but Billingsley (10-6, 3.96) is under some pressure after his recent struggles. The right-hander won nine of his first 12 decisions and had a 2.72 ERA on June 14, but since then he’s 1-3 with a 6.46 ERA in eight starts, including 1-4 if opponent had winning record.

He allowed one hit through five shutout innings Tuesday against St. Louis, but gave up six runs and couldn’t get out of the sixth in a 10-0 loss, walking a season-high six. Still, Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he had “good stuff” and seemed optimistic about Billingsley’s progress. “It got to the point, in a close game, it just looked to me like he was trying to make every pitch perfect,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That was about as good and loose and free I’ve seen him in a while.”

Besides his loss to Jurrjens, Billingsley also lost to the Braves in his first start against them April 19, 2008. In the two outings, the right-hander walked nine and allowed nine earned runs in 10 1/3 innings.

The newest Brave, Adam LaRoche, has homered twice off Billingsley in four at-bats. LaRoche, traded from Boston to Atlanta on Friday after being shipped from Pittsburgh to the Red Sox nine days earlier, went 2 for 3 with a walk Saturday to begin his second stint with the Braves.

“This turned out great,” LaRoche said. “I’m not going to lie and say Boston wasn’t fun. I did not see this coming at all. But if I was going to go anywhere from Boston, this is where I would want to be.” Atlanta has won six of seven at Turner Field against right-hand starters.

DiamondSportsbook.com has established Atlanta as -120 money line favorites with total having shrunk to 7.5. The Braves are 5-1 in Game 3’s of late and 6-2 if Jurrjens is the starter. Atlanta is 12-3 UNDER when the 23-year old takes the ball and the money line is +125 to -125.

Andre Ethier is the Dodgers hottest hitter, going 4 for 9 with two home runs and five RBIs in the series. He’s 2 for 3 with three walks in his career against Jurrjens. Los Angeles will need his bat and they are 20-7 vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 5.5 or less hits a start this season. L.A. is 9-2 OVER after allowing four runs or less four straight games this season.

ESPN of course will have the coverage starting just after 8 Eastern, with Torre’s club 23-9 in Game 3 of a series. These teams will meet four times at Dodger Stadium starting Thursday.

Mike Lipka, STATS writer contributed to this article.

3DW Baseball Betting Beat

Before the Los Angeles Dodgers are anointed a World Series slot out of the National League, a potential deadly flaw is emerging. There is still plenty of time for manager Joe Torre’s team to pull away from this nasty grouping, yet it certainly is water cooler fodder.

Coming into the season, the Dodgers pitching was the big question mark. No established ace was viewed, with Chad Billingsley (10-5, 3.72) expected to accept the role, before his 25th birthday. The rest of the rotation was up in the air and despite the team’s success, Los Angeles still has issues. Billingsley and Randy Wolf (5-4, 3.45) have 21 starts and young Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.95) has been given the ball 19 times. Beyond that, things become a little fuzzy, like many of the everyday inhabitants of Venice Beach.

Hiroki Kuroda has 10 starts wrapped around an injury. Eric Stults made nine before hitting the DL and Jeff Weaver and Eric Milton have five a piece. The Dodgers have even tried oft-injured Jason Schmidt recently, trying to extract innings for salary, since wins are 50-50 prop at best.

This leads to the Dodgers being 28th in baseball in quality starts (six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs) with 41. Only Washington and Baltimore have fewer quality starts. Since 2002, only three teams have finished with winning records if they finished in the bottom five of this category and none made the playoffs. While a winning record and postseason entry certainly appear in the Dodgers future, possibly playing at .642 clip might not. The Dodgers bullpen is second only to Oakland in innings used at 3.42 per game and they might have a few tired arms when August and September roll around. This could mean excellent underdog opportunities, especially if the offense hits a slump.

Bookmaker.com had projected Houston for 73.5 wins for the 2009 campaign. The Astros are well ahead of that pace with 49-46 (+4.5 units) record, yet don’t count that money as winnings just yet. Houston started the year 6-12, however recent 11-3 stretch have brought them back to respectability and into NL Central boat race. Houston has the oldest everyday starting lineup and starting pitching staff in the National League.

The ‘Stros numbers have this club opening up a can of commonplace. They are 10th in runs scored in the senior circuit, 12th in home runs, 14th in walks and 8th in on-base and slugging percentages. About the only aspect of Houston’s offense that stands out is they are second in baseball in fewest strikeouts.

Because owner Drayton McLane set limits on expenditures, while wanting to keep his aging assets, general manager Ed Wade made a trip to the junkyard to try to piece together starting pitching staff beyond Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriquez. Digging thru the scrapheap, he found 37-year Brian Moehler (7-5, 4.92 ERA), Russ Ortiz (2-3, 5.02), whose like a pesky rash that won’t go away and Mike Hampton (5-7, 4.63), who left New York Mets for Colorado in 2000, not because of money (wink-wink), but because he and his wife liked the school system in Denver area. (Oh that makes more sense now)

Houston will be depending on three golden oldies in the starting staff, a veteran lineup that has been through the baseball wars. They could be mentally tough and persevere or physically challenged by season’s end and fall apart. Let’s speculate the season total of 73.5 comes into play for the year is out.

All indications are Toronto will deal Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays front office better be prepared to make the right deal, or they will fall even further behind the three teams into front of them in the AL East, in the short and long term. For every Josh Beckett to Boston (along with Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota) for essentially Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez trade, is Tim Hudson to Atlanta for three baseball cards with the pictures of Dan Meyer, Juan Cruz and Charles Thomas.

If or when Halladay is dealt, that makes 24-year old Ricky Romero (8-4, 3.45) the ace of the Blue Jays staff. Toronto will play 29 of remaining 66 games starting Friday against Boston, Tampa Bay and the Yankees, along with eight other matchups versus AL Division leaders Detroit and Los Angeles. This could be a birdbath full of opportunities to play against the Jays.

Reds with backs to wall, up against Rugged System

The Cincinnati Reds are fading faster than a budget surplus at any city across the United States. The Reds have lost 17 of last 27 games to tumble into fifth place in the National League Central. In fact, with there 44-49 record (-2.3 units), Pittsburgh can actually see an opportunity of climbing out of the cellar. Just how valueless has Cincinnati become, only San Diego and Washington have a worse runs scored-runs allowed deficit (-61) in the senior circuit.

The Reds problems are scattered like tornado going thru a neighborhood. Offensively, Cincinnati has a “full house” of defective numbers. The Reds rank 14th in the National League in runs scored, batting average and on-base percentage. Those numbers are coupled with ranking 13th in total bases and slugging percentage. No wonder Cincy has lost six of last eight against teams with winning record.

The pitching numbers though better, are not exactly inspiring. Cincinnati ranks 9th in ERA at 4.27. They concede too many walks, ranked 11th and don’t earn many easy outs, positioned 12th in strikeouts. The Reds are tied for 12th in quality starts with 45 on the season. Fortunately they have been able to win when leading late with 82.1 percent save percentage.

Bronson Arroyo (10-8, 5.07, 1.454) is having another Six Flags seasons, going up and down. At the present time he’s in the zone, not allowing a run in last two starts over 16 innings and has posted 2.14 ERA in his last three trips to the mound. “I’m a roller coaster out there,” Arroyo told the Reds’ official Web site. “Right now, I’m going good. I’ll take every zero on the board I can get. The more you go out there like that, you feel confident. … You just try to ride the wave.” (Dude, were with you man)

Cincinnati is trying to not to be swept by the Dodgers (60-34, +19.6), who are 32-15 at home and 42-23 against right-hand starters.

Chad Billingsley (9-5, 3.76, 1.283) has been the Los Angeles ace, but not of late. Billingsley has been hit hard in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs in 6 2/3 innings. He’ll hope to find an early rhythm and save a bullpen that has done phenomenal work with 3.21 ERA and 1.238 WHIP.
This all leads to Bookmaker.com making L.A. a -200 money line favorite with a total Ov8 and the Reds being in unfit area.

Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +150 or more, who are NL team with a low on-base percentage of .350 or less, against a team with a solid bullpen (WHIP of 1.350 or less ), with a scalding starting pitcher sporting ERA less than 2.50 over his last three starts.

Over the last five seasons, this system is sizzling 54-11, 83.1 percent. The Reds are 8-21 as +150 to +200 underdogs and unimaginable 50-100 after a game where they stranded three or less runners on base. The Dodgers have won 52 of last 75 games at Dodger Stadium and are 8-1 in Billingsley’s last nine starts against teams with losing record.

If the money line makes one feel a bit uncomfortable backing the Dodgers, the average score differential of this superb system is 2.1 runs, adding the run line as potential wager. One more aspect to consider, the Reds have lost eight in a row at the home of the Dodgers.

MLB Series Wagering- Dodgers at Angels

The I-5 series moves south, down to Orange County, with the Dodgers taking on the Angels. Without question this is the best series of the weekend with a lot of reasons to follow the action. The team actually from Los Angeles has the best record in the Major Leagues at 44-23 and has garnered +17.3 units of profit for backers. The L.A. area club who plays in Anaheim has gotten hot, winning six in a row and seven of nine, to crawl within 1.5 games of Texas for the AL West lead.

The Dodgers are averaging five runs per game and that numbers figures only to rise once Manny Ramirez returns to the lineup. Manager Joe Torre has been fortunate that Juan Pierre had step up his game so well and they have won 11 of last 15 road games, thanks to better than expected starting pitching.

The Halos (35-29, +7.8 units) have been tearing the cover off the ball during this win streak, batting .350 as a team, giving them highest batting average in baseball at .282. (Though 10th in runs scored) They have accomplished this in spite of not having all their big sluggers in the lineup like Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu, who have missed time with various ailments. The Angels are 8-1 interleague action and 32-13 against the National League the last three seasons.

The Dodgers will send their ace Chad Billingsley (9-3, 2.72 ERA) to the mound in the opener. Billingsley has exceeded expectations tossing at least six innings in 13 of 14 starts and lasting at least seven innings in eight of those starts. The right-hander has allowed more than four runs just once this season and the Dodgers are 11-3 when he’s been given the starting assignment. The visitor has opened as -107 money line favorite with total of Un8 at DiamondSportsbook.com and they are 47-19 in that role.

Joe Saunders (7-4, 3.66 ERA) might have something to say about that for the Angels. Saunders went through a rugged stretch recently where he allowed 13 runs in 18 innings, but he was back on his game against San Diego, pitching 8 1/3 innings surrendering one run in 9-1 wipeout. Saunders and the Halos are 16-3 versus team averaging less than a home run per game and 10-3 as underdogs of +150 or less.

The difference could turn on the Dodgers ability to hit lefties, with 15-6 record this season.

Game 1 Edge: Dodgers

Game 2 of the series will have a very unusual flavor, as brothers will meet for the first time in their lives. Jered Weaver (7-2, 2.08) will face his older brother Jeff (3-1, 3.72), who is expected to make first start since May 20, filling in for other Dodger starters on the DL. “That'll be weird," Jered Weaver said. "I just wish we could face each other in the batter's box. That would be fun."

Jered has matured into the type of pitcher many in the Angels organization had expected. He’s been brutal on right-hand hitters, with them batting .155 and loves pitching at the Big A, with microscopic 1.01 ERA. Manager Mike Scioscia has enjoyed sending the younger Weaver to the mound, since they have won his last five outings and they are 21-8 at home when Jered is the starter. Look for the Angels to be decided favorite with Jered Weaver 3-1 in five career outings against the Dodgers with a 1.59 ERA.

Game 2 Edge: Angels

The series finale is the ESPN Sunday night game and Torre has seen plenty of the team from Anaheim to know what to expect. "They are getting it together. They are intimidating; they can beat you in a lot of different ways. We don't have the speed they have. We bite and scratch, but [Mike Scioscia's] club is pretty much bred to do that. They keep plugging in another fast guy. I really respect what Mike has done in the years he's been there. You knew from the get-go what kind of club he wanted to have. You know as a catcher the kind of club that makes you uncomfortable, and that's the kind of club that makes you uncomfortable."

Torre of course has plenty of faith in his own club and will send Clayton Kershaw (3-5, 4.13) to the mound. Kershaw bounced bad from his worst outing of the year, shutting out Oakland for 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight. Coming into this series, the Dodgers are 32-16 in night games and 13-7 as underdogs. If the game is close, the team from northern L.A. has superior bullpen and is 16-6 in one run games.

The Angels will use veteran John Lackey (2-2, 6.10) who might being rounding into form after starting the season on the DL. Lackey hurled seven strong innings against San Francisco, ringing up 10 K’s and not walking a batter. He had his best fastball of the season and curveball really had downward motion. If the Halos bats stay hot, Lackey could improve on 5-1 record with a 1.50 ERA against the other Angelinos.

Game 3 Edge: Angels

Though the Dodgers are the better team, they have played with a mental block in this Los Angeles turf war. Since 2001, those in Dodger blue have won only six times in 24 tries near Disneyland. Based on how this series has played out over the years and the Angels playing best baseball of the season right now, will back them this weekend, looking for a second straight winner and working back towards .500.

DiamondSportsbook.com series odds: Dodgers +125, Angels -155

3DW Pick: Los Angeles (The Angels)

2009 Record – 3-6

MLB Series Wagering- Giants at Dodgers

It seems only fitting on the day of the biggest news story of the season, the team that will affected the most would lose their first home game of the season to the worst team in Major League baseball. Manny Ramirez was suspended 50-games by baseball for taking illegal substance and the Dodgers record setting home winning streak of 13 games came crashing down, but not because the offense failed, as they lost 11-9 to the Nationals.

Ramirez is old news, as manager Joe Torre will have to play with the 25 players on the active roster and not be concerned about what he doesn’t have, as his club prepares for rival San Francisco. Undoubtedly, Los Angeles will miss Ramirez, but the team’s young players have paid attention to Manny’s positive habits and are second in the big leagues in runs scored and batting average. Being aggressive yet patient has really paid off for the Dodgers who have drawn the most walks in baseball coming into the series.
San Francisco has instituted its youth movement and the early results haven’t been bad in the win/loss column with 14-13 record. The Giants have survived to this point on pitching and barely enough hitting to have winning record. No matter how good the pitching is, at some point San Fran hitters are going to have to do better than being last in runs scored and 29th in on-base percentage (.306) if they expect to be .500 club on the season.

The Dodgers have mashed NL West rivals this season accounting for fast start with 19-6 record. They’ve opened with 4-2 record against the Giants in 2009 and will send ace Chad Billingsley (5-0, 2.21 ERA) to the rubber as he tries to become first six game winner in the National League. There were questions before the season if Billingsley was ready to assume the role of No.1 at the grand old age of 24. He’s embraced the position and has 42 strikeouts through 40 2/3 innings. The Dodgers are 18-3 in home games vs. a NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse.

The Giants are +180 money line underdogs in the opener at DiamondSportsbook.com and will send Barry Zito (0-2, 3.99) to the mound. Zito has been one the biggest free agent flops in the last decade and started in much the same fashion this season, surrendering 10 runs in first nine innings of work. Since then he’s looked like the pitcher who used to wear Oakland uniform, allowing three runs in 20 1/3 innings (1.33). The only reason he hasn’t posted a win, is his teammates have tallied a grand total of three runs in those three starts. Interestingly, Zito and San Francisco are 7-2 in road games after a win over the last two seasons. If Zito pitches well again it might mean the Giants are starting to finally get some of their money’s worth from the left-hander. However, Billingsley has pitched well against the San Fran in his career, going 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA in eight starts.

Game 1 Edge: Los Angeles

San Francisco knows the Dodgers are not the same team without Manny but they understand this is still a talented club with ample firepower. “That team is very good," Giants catcher Bengie Molina said. "They have a lot of young guys who can hit and play the game. In a way, it'd be very unfair to say that they're going to be a less competitive team [without Ramirez]. I think they're going to keep battling and use this as motivation."

The Giants had won 11 of last 16 coming into the series, though dismal 4-9 on the road. They will present Jonathan Sanchez (1-2. 3.80) to L.A. The hard throwing lefty has low to mid 90’s heater with natural tailing movement away from RH hitters. Sanchez is prone to inconsistency and wildness, as noted by walking 18 batters in 21 1/3 innings so far in 2009. When he throws strikes and is around the plate, batters are hitting .188 against him.

The Dodgers counter with Eric Stults (3-1, 4.94), who is no kid at 29 years old and has never found a home with the big club. He’s primarily a fly-ball pitcher, lacking any special out-pitches. He strictly a back of the rotation guy and if the Torre had somebody better to start, he would take Stults place. This contest is more about the numbers and the Dodgers are 10-1 playing on Saturday’s and 17-4 against lefties. The Giants are 3-13 when Sanchez is starting pitcher.

Game 2 Edge: Los Angeles

The reigning Cy Young award Tim Lincecum (3-1, 3.05) brings tranquility and confidence to the Giants team when he pitches. San Francisco has scored five or more runs nine times this season, four when Lincecum pitches. He is one of the few pitchers in baseball that if you are a fan of pitching, you want to watch him make hitters look silly with his overpowering fastball and knee-buckling curve. He will go up against Jeff Weaver (1-0, 1.00), who is on his second tour of duty with the Dodgers and made first start since 2007 last Tuesday against Arizona. Weaver struck out six, walked one and allowed one run in five innings, throwing a season-high 85 pitches. He was in continual trouble with runners in scoring position in four of the innings pitched, but escaped. Lincecum is 3-0 lifetime versus L.A.

Game 3 Edge: San Francisco

As much fun as it would be to bet on the Giants for big payday, it’s very difficult to bet against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium right now. Billingsley is very sharp, which should be a win and Sanchez wildness puts more Dodgers on the base paths. Though Stults is far from a sure thing, San Francisco’s lack of production at the plate makes Torre’s troops the obvious play.

DiamaondSportsbook.com series odds: San Francisco +170, L.A. Dodgers -220

3DW Pick: Dodgers

2009 Record – 1-3