MLB Free Pick: Rangers vs Dodgers
Scott Morris | June 13, 2018
The recent power display by the Los Angeles Dodgers has been led by outfielder Joc Pederson, who in May did not hit a home run, but has hit seven over his past eight games. Pederson hopes to keep the power surge going on Wednesday, when Los Angeles concludes its two-game interleague series with the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium. The current line has the Dodgers favored at -175 with the over/under on 7.5.
In Tuesday’s 12-5 win Pederson, Yasiel Puig and Max Muncy each hit home runs helping the Dodgers to their fourth win in their last five outings. Over his past eight games, Pederson has 13 hits, five doubles, 11 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in to go with his seven home runs.
The Dodgers are 8-2 and have hits 29 home runs in June. Muncy has hit a homer in four consecutive games and in June has six home runs and 11 runs batted in.
Texas has not enjoyed the same success. The Rangers are now 15 games under .500 and have lost five straight. The lone bright spot for the Rangers has been the turnaround of Delino DeShields who over his past two games has five hits and a pair of walks.
Left-hander Cole Hamels will start on the mound for Texas. Hamels is 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA. Hamels gave up a pair of home runs in his most recent outing for the fourth straight start last Thursday. He allowed five runs in 7 1/3 innings losing to Houston 5-2. Hamels in eight starts during his career versus the Dodgers is 3-2 with a 1.89 ERA.
Right-hander Kenta Maeda will start for the Dodgers. Maeda is 4-4 with a 3.61 ERA. Maeda will be making his first start in 14 days. He is to be activated of the disabled list in time to start. He threw in the bullpen on Sunday but did not make any rehab starts in the minors. Maeda has not pitched against Texas in his big league career but in eight interleague starts for the Dodgers is 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA.
Los Angeles put rookie pitcher Walker Buehler on their 10-day disabled list with a rib micro-fracture.
Texas outfielder Nomar Mazara did not start on Tuesday because of flu symptoms and the Rangers have listed him as day-to-day.
Prediction: Rangers will surprise the Dodgers in this game. Hamels has a road ERA of 2.55 and is 3-2 with a 1.89 ERA in his career versus LA.
