Texas Rangers (24-39) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (36-25)
June 11, 2021 10:10 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Dodgers -252 / Texas Rangers +225; Over/Under: -7.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet Friday in MLB action from Dodger Stadium. The Rangers are coming off a pair of games versus the Giants this week. Texas lost Tuesday but managed a win in the Wednesday game. As for the Dodgers, they played the Pirates in their last set. After wins in the first pair, on Thursday in the finale LA managed a shortened three-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas posted a 9-4 defeat at the hands of the Giants on Tuesday, but bounced back for a nice 4-3 victory in the Wednesday game. In that one, Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson lasted 6.0 innings with four hits, two walks and two earned runs.
For the Friday starting pitcher job, the Rangers are sending out Mike Foltynewicz. Over his 66.1 innings this year, Foltynewicz has 73 hits, 35 earned runs, 13 homers, 16 walks, 46 Ks and a 4.75 ERA overall.
Over on the Dodgers’ side, they posted victories over the Pirates 5-3 Tuesday and 2-1 in the Wednesday game. On Thursday in the finale, LA posted a 6-3 victory in a rain-shortened game. Starter Julio Urias went 6.0 innings with six hits and three earned in that one.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Dodgers are sending out Clayton Kershaw. Across his 76.1 innings this year, Kershaw has 63 hits, 32 runs (31 earned), eight homers, 14 walks, 86 Ks and a 3.66 ERA.
The Rangers are 33-67 in their last 100 games on grass and 15-39 in their last 54 in game one of a series. Texas is 6-21 in their last 27 overall and 2-7 in their last nine Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are 36-17 in their last 53 interleague games and 37-14 in their last 51 in game one of a series. LA is 14-5 in their last 19 Friday games and 44-17 in their last 61 home games.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Rangers here. Kershaw has struggled in his last two starts, posting 15 hits with 10 earned runs over a span of 12.0 innings. It’s brought his ERA from 2.94 to 3.66 on the year. As for Foltynewicz, he gave up five in 3.2 innings to the Rockies his last time up, but had a good run going with two earned in 14.0 innings prior to that. If Foltynewicz can find his footing in this one, I think Texas has a shot.
