MLB Predictions Preview … The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to keep pace with the NL West leaders Arizona Diamondbacks despite losing Monday’s game to the San Francisco Giants. With the Diamondbacks also losing Monday, Los Angeles is only a single game back of Arizona going into Tuesday’s game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers will send right hander Jason Johnson to the mound to start this game (0-0, 2.57 ERA) while the Giants will counter with right hander Matt Cain (6-8, 3.82 ERA).
MLB Predictions Betting Line …Online oddsmakers at sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) have the Dodgers listed as -123 money line favorites for this game with a 7 ½ point total. Giants backers are getting +113 money line juice as a road underdog.
Johnson will make his first start with the Dodgers after allowing two runs in seven innings in two long-relief outings since being called up after the All-Star break. He was originally supposed to start July 22 against the Rockies before the Dodgers called up rookie Clayton Kershaw from Double-A. Johnson, who pitches with an insulin pump, has started 214 Major League games and gone 55-98 with a 4.98 in his career, earning a reputation as an innings eater. He may get a second start on Sunday but will likely be bumped when Brad Penny returns to the rotation, which could happen as early as Aug. 5.
Cain will be hard-pressed to duplicate his previous outing, a four-hit shutout against Washington. He fashioned his gem largely by issuing no walks for only the third start of his career. Cain has never beaten the Dodgers, posting an 0-4 record against them with a 5.30 ERA lifetime. This year, he pitched 5 2/3 innings at Dodger Stadium in an April 1 no-decision before losing to L.A. on July 6, when he surrendered five runs and eight hits in six innings.
Fred Lewis and Jose Castillo drove in two runs apiece to lead the Giants past the Dodgers 7-6 on Monday night.
San Francisco won as +180 road underdogs as the game played over the 8-run total set by oddsmakers.
Kevin Correia allowed four earned runs over 5 1-3 innings to get the win for the Giants, as Correia helped his own cause with two runs batted in.
Mark Sweeney hit a two-run, pinch-hit double for Los Angeles, while Hiroki Kuroda was rocked for seven runs over 3 2-3 innings to take the loss for the Dodgers.
MLB Game Prediction … Dodgers -123 ml
