The New York Mets won an action-packed game 13-7 last night to take a 2-1 lead of this NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. We're likely to see much less action over the plate in tonight's contest as the Dodgers are looking to stay alive in the series with their ace on the mound.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - The Dodgers hand the ball to Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA) who conceded three runs on four hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings in the series-opener. He also recorded 11 strikeouts in the 3-1 loss though and had 18 strikeouts over 16 innings of work with just one run allowed versus the Mets in the regular-season. The Mets counter with Steven Matz who made six regular-season starts here in his rookie-season while posting a 2.27 ERA. One of those starts were against the Dodgers who the left-hander held to two hits over six scoreless innings.
2. Situational - The under is 14-6 in Kershaw's last 20 starts overall and Under is 7-2 in his last nine starts against the Mets who have a 14-5 under trend in their last 19 playoff home games going.
3. X-Factor - Curtis Granderson, Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d'Arnaud are a combined 3-for-22 in previous meetings with Kershaw.
Selection: This is a play on LAD@NYM to go under the total (10*)