NY Mets (0-0) at LA Dodgers (0-0)
When: Friday, October 9th, 2015
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Time: 9:45 ET
TV: TBS Radio: XM 183, 89, 80
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Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers is sure to be a great pitchers duel throughout. Both clubs are in the top 5 in Baseball in ERA, WHIP, and Quality Starts. The Dodgers have the edge in experience and that begins with Clayton Kershaw tonight. Kershaw led the majors with 301 strikeouts during the regular season and allowed more than 3 earned runs in a start just once after May 21st. The former MVP has not always been that sharp in the postseason, however, and is 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four playoff starts – all against the Cardinals. Kershaw has fared very well against the Mets in his career. He enters this series 6-0 with 1.34 ERA in 9 career starts against the Mets, including a three-hit, 11-strikeout, no-walk shutout on July 23rd. The Dodgers offense really tailed off in the second half of the season partly due to Yasiel Puig being hurt for the last month and Joc Pederson really struggled after the All-Star Break.
The Mets come in with great pitching as well, but it’s their offense that stole the show in the second half. After the All-Star Break they led the National League with 373 runs scored and a .770 OPS. Yoenis Cespedes was a huge part of that spark. He hit 18 homers with Detroit in 102 games this season, but then hit 17 in just 57 games with the Mets. Lucas Duda even picked things up hitting 27 homers this year including 5 in a three game stretch late in the season. The pitching we know is good, but it’s also young. Jacob deGrom will make his postseason debut tonight as will Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey in games 2 and 3. deGrom struggled a bit from the end of August to the middle of September but allowed one run in 10 innings over his final 2 starts, including 4 no-hit innings against the Nationals on Sunday. The All-Star struck out 205 and walked just 38 in 191 innings this season but enters the series 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. New York took 4 of 7 from the Dodgers in the regular season, including 2 of 3 at Dodger Stadium.
I know Kershaw has struggled in the postseason, but this isn’t the Cardinals. He has dominated the Mets and is great at home. He’s 11-3 with a 1.67 ERA at Dodger Stadium this year. The Mets bats have had several days to cool off and the young team might not be ready for the big stage yet. I’ll take the Dodgers despite the big price.
Pick: Dodgers -200
