San Francisco southpaw Madison Bumgarner toes the rubber this afternoon in hopes of completing a three-game sweep over the Dodgers, and we believe the Giants will improve to 10-2 in their last twelve meetings against Los Angeles after securing a win before the home faithful Thursday. Bumgarner has won three straight against Los Angeles and is 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA in his last six starts versus the Dodgers (August 20, 2012 to present). Bumgarner also owns an impressive 2.70 ERA while winning his last three outings versus Los Angeles at AT&T Park. Let’s also note that Bumgarner was practically unhittable against Los Angeles last season wherein he went 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.64 WHIP.
Overall, Bumgarner is 9-3 with a career 2.63 ERA and 0.99 WHIP versus the Dodgers, and he has not yielded more than two earned runs to Los Angeles since September 22, 2011 (7 starts). While Bumgarner is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA this season, some sports bettors are rightfully concerned about his 1.72 WHIP. That statistic is inflated by the fact that Bumgarner has allowed 23 hits in just 16.1 innings of work this season, but he does own an impressive 20/5 K/BB ratio so his command and control remain elite. And, based upon his recent success against the Dodgers, we see no reason for not investing on one of the best left-handed arms in baseball.
Madison Bumgarner in 2013:
- 2.33 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in thirteen home starts (2.38 ERA & 1.02 WHIP in 2012);
- 2.12 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in twelve afternoon starts (3.21 ERA at night);
- 1.55 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in six April starts (2.53 ERA & 1.09 WHIP in 2012)
Bumgarner is also supported by an outstanding San Francisco bullpen that owns a 1.78 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 2014, including a 0.63 ERA and 1.08 WHIP at home, a 0.66 ERA and 0.58 WHIP in day games, a 1.78 ERA and 1.10 WHIP versus division opponents and a 0.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over its last seven games. San Francisco relievers enter today’s game with a 45/12 K/BB ratio in 50.7 innings pitched, including a 23/7 K/BB rate in its last 27.7 innings of work.
In contrast, Los Angeles relievers have really struggled on the road this season where they own a pedestrian 4.78 ERA and 1.72 WHIP (32 IP; 19 R; 17 ER; 34 H; 21 BB). The Dodgers’ bullpen also owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in day games, a 3.66 ERA and 1.42 WHIP versus division opponents and a 3.90 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over its last seven games. Finally, Los Angeles’ already-scuffling lineup may be without Hanley Ramirez today after he left in the seventh inning Wednesday after getting hit on the top of his left hand by a pitch. “It got me good,” Ramirez said. “It’s sore a little bit. I iced it twice already and I’ll go back to the hotel and try to ice it twice before I go to bed so I can be in there Thursday.”
Pro Edge Sports Pick: San Francisco Giants (-116)