The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to continue their National League West dominance this evening as they open a two game set with divisional adversary Colorado. The two clubs are scheduled to take Coors Field in Denver, Colorado at 8:40pm ET tonight. MLB Odds and Predictions have rivalry tilt listed as a -110 moneyline pick'em; the game total is set at eight with the Over drawing -115 odds.
Los Angeles surprised just about everyone with its opening series performance against the defending champion Giants at 
Dodger Stadium. Don Mattingly's squad took the set 3-1 after giving up after winning games one, two and four by a combined four runs.
Clayton Kershaw, who will take the hill this evening, was masterful in the season opener, limiting San Francisco to four hits and no earned runs over seven innings. The big left hander also struck out nine while walking just one.
Kershaw experienced similar success against the Rockies last season, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.10 ERA in five starts against Colorado. The Dodgers earned five of their 11 wins versus the Rockies last year with Kershaw toeing the rubber.
Colorado, which spilt its opening series with the Diamondbacks 1-1 after the third game was postponed due to snow, will counter Kershaw with 23 year old Venezuelan Jhoulys Chacin. The right handed Chacin had a break out year in 2010 after producing a 3.28 ERA in 28 appearances (21 starts).
Six of Chacin's starts came against the Dodgers, who he held to 12 earned runs over 37.2 innings pitched (2.87). The Rockies went 3-3 in those six games with two of the three losses coming when Chacin started opposite Kershaw.
Los Angeles also controlled this series in Denver last season, winning six of the nine games played between the two teams at Coors Field. That fact, coupled with Kershaw's governance of the Rockies' lineup, makes the Dodgers the smart play tonight.
Dodgers vs Rockies Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Los Angeles Dodgers +1.5 (-225), Over 8 (-115), -110 (Moneyline)
Colorado Rockies -1.5 (+185), Under 8 (-105), -110 (Moneyline)
