The Los Angeles Dodgers (108-48) and their MLB-best offense are set to host the Colorado Rockies (65-91) at Dodger Stadium on Friday for the first of a six-game series. The Rockies are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Giants, dropping the finale 6-4 on Thursday at Oracle Park for their fifth straight loss. Sean Bouchard was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. The Dodgers are returning home for a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Padres in their last series, taking the finale 5-2 on Thursday at Petco Park. Will Smith went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Dodgers have won eight of 13 in the season series between the NL West rivals, including a 7-3 victory in their most recent meeting on July 31 at Coors Field. Tony Gonsolin went five innings, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out six, to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Chad Kuhl (6-10, 5.45 ERA) is set to start for Colorado. The righty allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 9-3 home defeat against the Padres on Saturday. He took the loss, giving up six hits while striking out five and walking two. Over two previous starts against the Dodgers this season, Kuhl has allowed five earned runs over 12.2 innings (1-1, 3.55). He has struck out eight and walked four. For Los Angeles, southpaw Clayton Kershaw (10-3, 2.42 ERA) will take the mound. He has made two appearances against the Rockies this season, both starts, giving up 11 runs (9 ER) over 9.1 innings (0-2, 8.68) with seven strikeouts and four walks. In his last start on Saturday, Kershaw got the win at home against the Cardinals. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 6-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Colorado offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .256/.317/.398. C.J. Cron leads the team in OPS at .802. The first baseman is slashing .263/.322/.480 with 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 78 runs over 146 games. Against southpaws like Kershaw this season, the Rockies have a .780 OPS, third highest in MLB. Randal Grichuk is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .940 OPS in 162 at-bats. Los Angeles is slashing .257/.334/.445 for the season and averaging 5.3 runs per game, best in the league. Five Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.922). The first baseman has 20 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 113 runs scored with a slash line of .328/.405/.517. Los Angeles is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.202/.291/.327). The Dodgers have a .787 OPS against right-handers in 2022, highest in MLB. With a .973 OPS over 410 at-bats, Freeman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is on a three-game losing streak away from Coors Field, bringing their record to 24-51 in 2022. The Rockies have scored 3.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.9 runs. Los Angeles has gone 54-21 at Dodger Stadium this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.5. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Dodger Stadium with an average scoreline of 3.6-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by 22 games over the Padres. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 43 games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
