MLB Betting \u2013 Giants vs Dodgers Preview & Pick<\/strong> San Francisco Giants (0-0)<\/strong> Even as the defending World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants may enter 2011 with a little chip on their collective shoulder.<\/p>\n Some detractors worry Pablo Sandoval was a flash in the pan and that his wild-swinging ways caught up to him last year. He believes he\u2019ll be an elite player again now that he\u2019s dropped serious weight.<\/p>\n Other people worry Buster Posey played over his head as a rookie and will hit the sophomore slump. He and the Giants see him as their offensive centerpiece.<\/p>\n And some people worry that Tim Lincecum\u2019s regression in 2010 could be permanent since a drop in velocity accompanied the dip in his numbers. However, the two-time Cy Young winner is still only 26 years old. He\u2019s also absolutely dominant in April historically, going 10-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 126 strikeouts over 103 innings.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0)<\/strong> The Los Angeles Dodgers also enter 2011 with plenty to prove. Instead of trying to show they weren\u2019t a fluke like the Giants, the Dodgers are trying to show their disappointing 2010 campaign was a fluke.<\/p>\n Questions abound for the Dodgers\u2019 go-to guys. Can Matt Kemp return to superstar status after he spent much of 2010 in Joe Torre\u2019s doghouse and batted .249 despite being a .285 career hitter? Can Andre Ethier regain his power stroke? He was a Triple Crown threat before the 2010 All-Star break, batting .324 with 14 homers and 54 RBI in 70 games, but hit just .256 with nine homers and 28 RBI in 69 post-break games. The one constant for L.A. should be ace Clayton Kershaw. The former top prospect has been as good as advertised in his major-league career. He walks plenty of batters but makes up for it by being unhittable and missing lots of bats.<\/p>\n MLB Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n SF are 8-1 in their last 9 Thu. games. The pick:<\/strong><\/p>\n Picking the UNDER makes sense for this Opening Day tilt. Lincecum rules April and Kershaw was a beast against the Giants last season, posting a 1.55 ERA over four starts. But I\u2019ll give the slight edge to the defending World champs on Thursday.<\/p>\n Kemp has nothing against Lincecum, going 2-for-20 with nine strikeouts against him in his career. Also, we don\u2019t know if Jonathan Broxton will return to glory as L.A.\u2019s closer. You could argue that the Giants\u2019 Sergio Romo, who will fill in for injured Brian Wilson on Thursday, is the safer ninth-inning bet. That comparison is important since this game should be close.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Thursday, March 31, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>ESPN
\nSan Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Lines from Betus.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: <\/strong>Giants -110, Dodgers -110
\nOver\/Under: <\/strong>6.5
\n CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —><\/strong><\/a>
\n Bet now at BETUS —><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\nTim Lincecum (2010: 16-10, 3.43 ERA)<\/p>\n
\nClayton Kershaw (2010: 13-10, 2.91 ERA)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/baseball\/sportsbook_baseball_250x250_mybanner.gif\")
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\nSF are 7-2 in their last 9 road games.
\nSF are 20-8 in their last 28 overall.
\nUnder is 8-3-1 in LA last 12 overall.
\nUnder is 8-3-1 in LA last 12 on grass.
\nUnder is 7-3 in Kershaws last 10 Thu. starts.
\nSF are 7-1 in Lincecums last 8 starts vs. LA.
\nUnder is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.<\/p>\n