Diamondbacks at Dodgers Odds, Line, Total, Favorite and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 5-13-11

Free MLB Picks and Odds: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 5/13/11: The Arizona Diamondbacks may not be the flashiest of baseball clubs but they boast the potential to win on any given night. Before their current 4 game skid, the Diamondbacks saw themselves in second position of the NL West and were playing with a swagger that has not been seen around the ballpark in Arizona for some time. Their current California road trip started out on a positive note, they took the first two games of their three game set with the Padres, but then lost the finale and was swept in San Francisco. The blanking in San Fran was not a result of poor pitching, but rather the offensive did not give any of their starters any run support. The Diamondbacks tallied up 5 runs in the three game set while giving up 8, strong indicators that they are a bat or two away from competing with the games best. Tonight Arizona will send Joe Saunders to the mound in the pursuit of a solid performance, the south-paw is having a sub-par 2011 campaign to this point with a 5.72 ERA to go along with an 0-4 record. Saunders is not commanding the strike zone as in years past and he is having issues getting action on his balls. The ex-Angel is also finding himself down in counts early, which is resulting in a plethora of free bases given up. He will need to provide a solid outing tonight to avert the risk of being let go or sent down for reassignment.

After a good month of inconsistent ball, the L.A. Dodgers may finally be finding their game once again. They are currently riding the highs of a two game winning streak and their offensive seems to be finding their groove. Their last series against the Pirates saw them pump out 13 runs and batters were littering the ball all over the field. Offense has been an issue that has plagued this club for the last three years but it is being addressed on a daily basis and management has brought in the expertise to get the job done. The Dodgers send their ace in Clayon Kershaw to the mound tonight, he will be looking for his fifth win on the season. Kershaw, after a poor start to the season, is rediscovering his dominant approach to pitching and teams are having issues picking up his deceptive off speed pitches. He likes to work quickly and efficiently, rarely giving up free bases and always in command of the game. He also offers the Dodgers the opportunity to rest the bull pen as he averages 7.5 innings per outing. If the Dodgers wish to play Fall ball then Kershaw will need to reach the potential he has and be the catalyst that gets them there.

Tonight we will recommend a play on the L.A. Dodgers at home to open up the three game set. The Dodgers have been playing some pretty entertaining ball as of late and their bats are finally making an impact. Matt Kemp, who had a slow and inconsistent month of April, is becoming a rock in the four spot in the lineup. The series against Pittsburgh may have afforded him the opportunity to rediscover his swing and I expect him to ride the momentum gained in Pennsylvania to this series. Kershaw is an elite pitcher and he will have opportunities to mow down the batting order of the Diamondbacks. Joe Saunders many be on his way out of the game with another poor performance tonight, but he has had himself a solid career. We will consider the Dodgers rolling tonight and extending their streak to three games. Cheers!

Free Pick: LA Dodgers -175(moneyline)

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