MLB Predictions: Dodgers vs Padres Lines
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will kick off the domestic portion of the Major League Baseball season at Petco Park on Sunday night.
MLB Free Pick – Opening Night
Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0) at San Diego Padres (0-0)
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2014
Time: 8:05 PM ET
Venue: Petco Park
City: San Diego, California
O/U Odds: 6.5
Money Line: Los Angeles -106, San Diego -102
Pitching Matchup: LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0, 0.00 ERA) at RH Andrew Cashner (10-9, 3.09 ERA)
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MLB Matchup Stats | MLB ATS Insider Preview
The Dodgers already have a pair of victories under their belt after opening their season in Australia with a sweep of the Diamondbacks, while the Padres look to live up to some lofty expectations in the West this season, with many pundits tabbing them as a dark horse contender for a Wild Card spot.
The Dodgers made easy work of the Diamondbacks to open their season, and now will have to get back into the mind-set that the games count again after the weird scheduling quirk to start their season.
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Outfielder Yasiel Puig continued to deliver for the team after coming on strong in his rookie campaign. Puig hit .300 in Australia with a pair of RBIs and a run scored.
The Dodgers will send starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu out to the bump for the second time in this one. He’ll get the nod in place of ace Clayton Kershaw who was placed on the disabled list with a back ailment.
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Ryu was rock solid in his opening appearance against the Diamondbacks, throwing five shutout inning while giving up only two hits, striking out five batters, and surrendering only a single walk.
He’ll be opposed in this one by Padres ace Andrew Cashner. Cashner compiled a 3.09 ERA last season, but he really stepped his game up when pitching at Petco.
In 13 appearances in his home ballpark, Cashner notched a 1.95 ERA, while limiting opposing hitters to a .223 batting average. He also really picked up his game as the season progressed, compiling a 2.25 ERA in the month of August, and a 0.76 ERA in the month of September.
Cashner was also strong when facing the Dodgers last season, racking up a 1.35 ERA in six appearances (three starts), though that was only good for an 0-1 record against them.
That’s not outside of the norm: in his career, Cashner has a 1.32 ERA against the Dodgers, but an 0-2 record.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the lean is to the under in a game between N.L. West opponents. Ryu and Cashner should be locked in a pitcher’s duel in this one. Cashner has been strong against the Dodgers, and the Padres have certainly displayed an inability to generate run support when he is on the mound.
The under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between these teams in San Diego, and Cashner closed the season on a 6-1 under run last year, while Ryu closed the year on a 5-2 under run.
The play: Under 6.5
