Manny Ramirez returns to the Los Angels Dodgers Friday night at the San Diego Padres and they’re the solid favorites at BroburySports.com.
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Los Angels Dodgers (-140) at San Diego Padres - 10:05 pm ET
Ramirez is coming off a 50 game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy. The Dodgers were 21-8 when he went out of the lineup and were a more than respectable 29-21 without him. Their lead in the NL West sits at 7.5 games ahead of San Francisco.
There is some thought that L.A. (50-29) could be better served in the long term because of Manny’s suspension. Their young hitters proved they could win without their slugger in the middle of the lineup and the pitching staff has the best ERA in the majors.
But despite being the NL’s best team so far, this is a good time for Ramirez’s return. The Dodgers have only scored eight runs in their last five games, losing three of them. Manny will provide a shot in the arm but it could take a few games for his timing to re-adjust to major league pitching.
A rusty Manny could be the best thing San Diego (34-44) has going for them. They are a full 15.5 games behind L.A. in the NL West with much of that due to their 12-26 away record.
At home, San Diego is a respectable 22-18 although they’re only 5-12 there since June 1st. Hitting has been a season long problem for San Diego as they are last in MLB in runs scored.
Chad Gaudin (4-6, 4.97 ERA) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (2-4, 3.77 ERA)
San Diego’s Gaudin is the classic example of a hit-or-miss pitcher. He has gone 2-1 in his last three starts and has a 2.14 ERA in those 21 innings. He also struck out 28 batters in those three contests.
The problem is Gaudin is also capable of a horrendous outing like last June 12th at the Angels, when he gave up eight runs in three innings, spiking his ERA.
Kuroda has made six starts since coming off the disabled list and the Dodgers have lost four of those. He is 3-1 with a 4.78 ERA in five career starts against the Padres and he must pitch well or San Diego could get the upset.
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