He may not have a sterling record of postseason success, but ace Clayton Kershaw will still take the mound as the Los Angeles Dodgers try to eliminate the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of their wild card series.
The Dodgers are coming off a 4-2 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday night, and expectations are for Los Angeles to finish the job on Thursday.
Kershaw Ready to Turn the Page on Postseason Struggles
BetMGM lists the Dodgers as a -228 favorite to win Game 2 and advance into the NLDS, and a -589 pick to get past the Brewers (+450) in the series.
Kershaw enjoyed another great regular season campaign, going 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts. But he’s just 9-11 with a 4.43 ERA for his career in the postseason, a mark that makes little sense given his overall greatness.
“Everything people say is true right now about the postseason,†Kershaw told reporters. “I’m hopeful that some of the things that I’ve done, because I’ve been sort of beat up in the past, has prepared me to kind of maintain what I’ve got going right now.â€
Brandon Woodruff will attempt to keep Milwaukee’s postseason hopes alive. Woodruff put up an excellent 3.05 ERA despite a disappointing 3-5 record this year, with a WHIP just under 1.00. He also pitched well against the Dodgers in the 2018 NLCS, and even hit a home run off of Kershaw during the series.
Dodgers vs. Brewers Odds (Game 2)
Money Line
- Brewers (Woodruff): +210
- Dodgers (Kershaw): -239
Run Line
- Brewers (+1.5): -110
- Dodgers (-1.5): -110
Over/Under: 7.5
Series Odds
- Â Brewers: +450
- Dodgers: -589
Odds via BetMGM
“He’s a big-game pitcher, one of our horses, one of our two aces, and we have all the confidence in the world in him,†Brewers Game 1 starter Brent Suter told reporters. “He’s the best.â€
Milwaukee will need more out of Woodruff than they got from Suter. The Game 1 starter lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up five walks and three runs. The Brewers used four relievers to keep themselves in the game, but couldn’t make up the early deficit.
Bettors Backing Los Angeles World Series Run
Mookie Betts led the Dodgers’ offensive attack with two hits, while Corey Seager added a solo shot in the seventh inning. The Los Angeles bullpen also performed well, putting in five shutout innings after Walker Buehler gave up two runs over four innings in his start.
“Those guys picked me up,†Buehler said afterwards. “The offense scored enough runs. It’s win No. 1 for us.â€
Bettors overwhelmingly believe the Dodgers will finish the series off on Thursday. BetMGM reported that 98 percent of tickets and 92.6 percent of moneyline handle was on the Dodgers as of Thursday afternoon. The Dodgers are also the consensus favorites to win the World Series.
Should the Brewers pull off an upset, they will face the Dodgers in an elimination game on Friday. The winner of the series will take on either the San Diego Padres or the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
