This is a 1* Free Play on the LA Dodgers.

The Dodgers should be a good bet here as they look to avoid getting swept in St. Louis. Los Angeles will send arguably the best pitcher in either league to the mound in Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.78 ERA); Kershaw finished up the first half with another dominant pitching performance in San Diego where he allowed just a solo home run in a complete game win over the Padres. The run allowed by the southpaw was the only one he has allowed in his last five starts and snapped a 41 inning scoreless streak. The Red Birds will put out Carlos Martinez (2-4, 4.43 ERA) to try and complete the sweep; Martinez allowed one earned run over 4 1/3 innings in a start versus the Dodgers earlier this season but he has been merely mediocre this season after getting promoted out of the bullpen due to injuries. The right-hander has failed to get out of the fifth inning both times he has faced Los Angeles, going 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA. The last time Kershaw faced the Cardinals it was the playoffs and the lefty had the worst start of his career in the biggest game of his life. I think tonight's contest sets up as major revenge spot for the reigning Cy Young winner. The Dodgers have been pretty good on the road this season and I think a game on National TV (ESPN) with their ace on the hill is exactly the kind of motivating factor this offense needs to bump out of its mini slump. Also note that LA is 5-1 as a road favorite in the -150 to -175 range this season. Consider taking Kershaw and the Dodgers.

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