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MLB Playoffs NLDS Game 2 - Cardinals vs. Dodgers

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Dodgers Look to Take Commanding Lead Behind Kershaw

The Los Angeles Dodgers (96-67 SU, 72-77-13 O/U, 77-85 RL) found a way to finally beat St. Louis Cardinals’ (91-72 SU, 69-86-8 O/U, 77-86 RL) Cy Young contender Chris Carpenter in Game 1 of their NLDS matchup and will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead when the two NL rivals square off at Dodger Stadium tonight at 6 PM ET.

The Dodgers won Game 1 of their NL divisional series with a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday, cashing in for BetUS MLB online betting enthusiasts as +115 home underdogs while the game’s eight combined runs played Over the 7-run O/U total.

Veteran shortstop Rafael Furcal went 3-for-4 with one RBI while Matt Kemp added a solo home run to lead L.A. to victory.

Carpenter was tagged for nine hits and four earned runs over five innings in the loss while Mark DeRosa had three hits and drove in one run for the Cardinals.

Tonight, the Cardinals will hand the ball to their other Cy Young award contender in right-hander Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA) while the Dodgers counter with left-hander Clayton Kershaw (8-8. 2.82 ERA).

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends and MLB Odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Free Picks.

  • Cardinals are 4- 1 in their last 5 Divisional Playoff road games.
  • Cardinals are 12- 3 in their last 15 Divisional Playoff games.
  • Cardinals are 5- 2 in their last 7 playoff games.
  • Cardinals are 4- 0 in Wainwright’s last 4 starts vs. National League West.
  • Cardinals are 15- 2 in Wainwright’s last 17 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Dodgers are 4- 0 in their last 4 Divisional Playoff games.
  • Dodgers are 6- 1 in their last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
  • Dodgers are 5- 1 in their last 6 home games.
  • Under is 4- 0 in Kershaw’s last 4 starts vs. Cardinals.
  • Under is 5- 2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
  • Cardinals are 36- 17 in the last 53 meetings.

MLB Odds

  • St. Louis Cardinals -1½ +145
  • Adam Wainwright –R -125
  • Los Angeles Dodgers +1½ -165
  • Clayton Kershaw –L +105
  • Over 7 -115
  • Under 7 -105

The Starters: Adam Wainwright has gone 1-0 over his last three starts with a 3.00 ERA while Clayton Kershaw has gone 0-1 over his last three starts with a stellar 1.69 ERA.

Analysis: While I picked the St. Louis Cardinals to win yesterday’s contest behind Chris Carpenter, I had a feeling the Dodgers would put up a serious fight and sure enough they did.

Now, I’m thinking the Dodgers are going to be even more confident coming into this contest while getting a fantastic outing from gifted left-hander Clayton Kershaw en route to a narrow victory.

Adam Wainwright has given up three runs in three consecutive starts, and at least two earned runs in four straight while winning just one of his last four starts.

Kershaw has been just as good, if not better than Wainwright recently, not allowing more than two earned runs in a whopping seven consecutive starts, though he has gotten almost no run support during the stretch while recording no-decisions in five of the seven outings.

In his last start, Kershaw didn’t allow a single run while giving up just three hits and striking out 10 and walking three in six innings.

While the Cardinals have gone an impressive 4- 1 in their last five divisional playoff road games and 12- 3 in their last 15 divisional playoff games, they will be facing a Los Angeles Dodgers team that has gone a perfect 4- 0 in their last four divisional playoff games and 6- 1 in their last seven home games against a right-handed starter.

St. Louis has gone a spotless 4- 0 in Adam Wainwright’s last four starts against NL West ballclubs and a blistering 15- 2 in Wainwright’s last 17 road starts against a team with a winning record, but I’m taking the Dodgers to win this game narrowly and cover the Run Line as they’ve gone a blistering 5- 1 in their last six home games and an identical 5- 1 in their last six games against a team with a winning record.

I also like the Under to cash in tonight as it has gone a perfect 4- 0 in Clayton Kershaw’s last four starts against the Cardinals and 5- 2 in the last seven meetings between these teams when they square off in Los Angeles.

Call me crazy, but I like the Dodgers to cover the Run Line in a narrow win that plays Under the O/U total.

MLB Free Picks: Dodgers +1½ Runs/Under 7 Total Runs