MLB Predictions Preview … Story lines are plenty for Friday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitching phenoms young and old are set to battle from the mound and the Dodgers debut Manny Rameriz as their new offensive threat. The Diamondbacks will send veteran ace lefthander Randy Johnson (8-7, 4.58 ERA) to the mound while the Dodgers counter with their young lefty Clayton Kershaw (1-3, 4.53 ERA).
MLB Predictions Betting Line …Online oddsmakers at super-sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) have the Dodgers listed as -112 money line favorites with a 7 ½ total. The Diamondbacks are getting +102 money line odds as a road underdog.
Johnson is riding a scoreless-innings streak of 15 as well as a four-start winning streak. The left-hander was on top of his game against the Giants last Sunday as he tossed seven shutout innings. It was the second straight start in which he held the opposition scoreless for seven frames. Johnson is eight wins away from 300 for his career. Johnson didn't allow a walk against the Giants and has given up just two free passes in his last 26 1/3 innings.
Kershaw produced his best outing of the season Sunday against the Nationals. He threw six-plus scoreless innings to pick up his first career victory, yielding four hits and a walk without allowing a runner to reach third. He also struck out five in his economical 86-pitch effort. The rookie established his fastball and curveball early while pitching aggressively and getting ahead in the count. That came on the heels of his five-run, 10-hit shellacking in three innings July 22 in Colorado. Kershaw has given up three runs or fewer in seven of his 10 outings.
The Diamondbacks scored both their runs in the seventh inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers, as a -105 pick'em. The three runs went UNDER the night's posted over/under (6.5).
Mark Reynolds and Chris Snyder drove in the Diamondbacks runs. Brandon Webb threw eight innings for the win, and Brandon Lyon closed out the ninth with his 23rd save.
Russell Martin drove in the lone run for the Dodgers. Derek Lowe gave up both runs over 6 1-3 innings in suffering the loss.
MLB Game Prediction …Dodger stadium should be rocking with the arrival of Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers will catch some of that electricity and cover this one. Dodgers -112 ML.
