Dodgers vs Giants Free Pick July 28 2012
The National League West battle for first place is heating up as the San Francisco Giants lead the division be just two games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers were in control of the division until mid-July when San Francisco took over the top spot. However, on Friday the Dodgers defeated the Giants in the first game of the series to cut San Francisco’s lead to just two games.
In Friday’s game, Hanley Ramirez who the Dodgers just picked up in a trade with Miami hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning to help the Dodgers to the win. The win lifted the Dodgers record to 54-47 and ended a three game skid. In just three games with Los Angeles, Ramirez is four for 11.
Los Angeles will send right-hander Chad Billingsley to the mound against the Giants today. Billingsley is 5-9 this season with a 4.15 ERA. He won his last start, but that was only his first win over his last six trips to the mound. Billingsley is also 0-4 in his last four starts in San Francisco.
The Giants are 55-44 on the season and will send veteran southpaw Barry Zito to the mound to face the Dodgers. Zito is 8-6 this season with a 3.75 ERA. In his last five starts, Zito has an ERA of 2.25. He has faced Los Angeles twice this season and is 1-1 in those two starts. In his last start, he allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings but did not get the decision in an extra-inning loss to Philadelphia.
Oddsmakers have the line as a tossup up at -110. The total is sitting at 7.5. Take the Dodgers to win. Los Angeles will get timely hitting from Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Ramirez to help their cause. The total will pay out to those who take the OVER.