Opening Day MLB Picks: Dodgers vs. Padres Prediction: April 5th 2012
Opening Day MLB Picks: April 5th 2012
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
Prediction: Dodgers -149
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There is a whole bunch of new things going on in Los Angeles but one of those should not be a change in domination over the Padres. The Dodgers won 13 of the 18 meetings last season and that included winning all three of the series that took place in San Diego. Los Angeles will have a tough time competing in the National League West with the Diamondbacks and Giants it got a break in the schedule with seven of its first 10 games coming against the Padres with the other three being against Pittsburgh.
It is expected to be a long season in San Diego after a 71-91 record a season ago with not much improvements heading into this year. The Padres had only 35 home wins last year which was the fifth fewest in all of baseball so there is certainly not much of an edge anymore at Petco Park. San Diego finished with the lowest batting average in the National League while its 593 runs scored were the second fewest in the league. Don’t expect much offensive output tonight.
The Dodgers send ace Clayton Kershaw to the hill and he is coming off an outstanding 2011 campaign. He went 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 33 starts and while his April was his worst month, he comes into this season with a much better outlook. Facing the Padres to start is a plus as he has dominated them the last two years with a 1.93 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over six starts where he went 5-1. He has a run of seven consecutive quality outings against San Diego.
San Diego goes with newly acquired Edinson Volquez who came over from Cincinnati after another tough season with the Reds. He posted a 5.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 20 starts and he has been mediocre at best since an exceptional 2008 season. A new environment may help but he is still struggling with his command as he issued 11 walks in 20.2 innings during spring training. He hasn’t faced the Dodgers since 2008 which is an advantage but the run support behind him will be minimal. 3* (909) Los Angeles Dodgers -Matt Fargo
