The Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 playoff dream ended long ago. But It\u2019s nice to write about them for a change since they have two very important items on their agenda. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Dodgers vs Giants Preview & Pick<\/strong> Los Angeles Dodgers (69-72 through September 7)<\/strong> One is Clayton Kershaw\u2019s quest for the National League Cy Young. Why doesn\u2019t this guy get more fanfare? He\u2019s been as dominant as any pitcher in the game this season, he\u2019s held opponents to a .214 average while walking just 50 guys (and striking out 222) in 205.2 innings. He\u2019s become the perfect storm, a power pitcher who also goes deep in games and doesn\u2019t walk people.<\/p>\n Since the All-Star break, Kershaw is a whopping 8-1 with a 1.44 ERA over 10 starts. He\u2019s been ever better than that against the Giants this season, going 3-0 over four outings with a 1.35 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.<\/p>\n The other story to watch for L.A on Friday: Matt Kemp. Not only is the outfielder pushing hard for NL MVP honors with his .319-32-107 batting line, his 37 steals give him a shot to become baseball\u2019s fifth ever 40\/40 man.<\/p>\n San Francisco Giants (75-68 through September 7)<\/strong> A lot can happen in September but the Giants sure are on the ropes, seven games back of Arizona in the NL West through Wednesday. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The pitching hasn\u2019t faltered but they\u2019ve hit as poorly as any team in baseball. They never recovered from Buster Posey\u2019s broken leg and Carlos Beltran simply hasn\u2019t provided the offensive spark he was supposed to.<\/p>\n At least the Giants\u2019 pitching still gives them a chance to win every night. Tim Lincecum\u2019s stat line reads like Felix Hernandez\u2019s from last season: great overall numbers without the wins. He hasn\u2019t had run support. <\/p>\n In an eight-start stretch from July 15 to August 24, he allowed two or fewer runs in eight straight starts \u2013 yet he lost three of those outings.<\/p>\n LA are 13-3 in their last 16 overall. As great as Lincecum is, he\u2019s slumping, having allowed nine runs in 11 innings over his last two starts (both losses). Kershaw looks unstoppable right now and gets to face a quad-A lineup. He should breeze again.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, September 9, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSPT, KNTV
\nLos Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Giants -120 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 5.5<\/strong>
\n CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —><\/strong><\/a>
\n Bet now at BETONLINE —><\/strong><\/a>
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\nClayton Kershaw (17-5, 2.41)<\/p>\n
\nTim Lincecum (12-12, 2.75)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nLA are 13-3 in their last 16 games on grass.
\nLA are 8-2 in their last 10 road games.
\nOver is 7-2 in SF last 9 games following an off day.
\nOver is 7-3 in SF last 10 overall.
\nOver is 7-3 in SF last 10 on grass.
\nSF are 8-3 in Lincecums last 11 starts vs. LA.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n