Sports Spotlight On Scherzer Versus Kershaw Tonight in Los Angeles
A significant portion of the sports media attention will be focused on Dodger Stadium tonight when two potential Hall of Fame pitchers, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw, square off against top MLB teams. The NFL is now in its preseason.
Over 3000 Strikeouts
In their fourth meeting over their respective illustrious careers since their first encounter in 2008, when Scherzer was a 24-year-old with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kershaw was a 20-year-old rookie with the Dodgers, Scherzer, 41, who currently pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays, takes on Kershaw of the Dodgers.
The game begins at 10:10 p.m. EST. This article claims that Scherzer and Kershaw are the first team in MLB history to start against one another as rookies and amass more than 3,000 strikeouts during their careers.
The Blue Jays are winning!
The Blue Jays are leading the American League East at 68-48, four games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in second place. They recently swept the Rockies in three games in Colorado, scoring 45 runs on 63 hits.
After losing a three-game series at home to the St. Louis Cardinals (1-2), the Dodgers are clinging to first place in the National League West at 66-49. Since July 1, the Dodgers have a 13–17 record.
The Dodgers are hanging on
Two games behind the Dodgers are the San Diego Padres, who may have done the most to bolster their lineup at the trade deadline.
But let's return to Scherzer and Kershaw, who will square off on the mound this evening. Due to a persistent thumb problem, Scherzer missed the opening several months of the season despite signing a $15 million one-year contract with the Jays last off-season.
With a 4.39 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts over 41.0 innings pitched in 8 starts, he has been more successful for the Jays lately. In 65.2 innings pitched, Kershaw has a 3.29 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and a 1.25 WHIP. Kershaw has been sidelined by persistent injury concerns, including during the Dodgers' World Series victory over the New York Yankees last season.
The Hall of Farmers
It is nearly exhaustive to look over their career highlights. Scherzer has won the World Series in 2019 and 2023, three Cy Young Awards (2013, 2016, 2017), two no-hitters, a tie for the most strikeouts in a 9-inning game (20), eight consecutive seasons with 230 or more strikeouts (8), eight all-star selections, a 3K strikeout club, and a 3.18 career ERA.
Then there is Kershaw, who won the World Series in 2020, won three Cy Young Awards in 2011, 2013, and 2014, had one no-hitter, was named NL MVP in 204, won the pitching triple crown in 2011, was an 11-time all-star, had a 3K strikeout club, and had a 2.52 career ERA.
There are just two titans facing off.
Sportsbooks are taking advantage of the excitement. The "3,000-K Club Showdown" is scheduled for tonight by ESPN Bet.
Second-Most Bet Prop: Scherzer Strikes Out
After the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to homer, the Jays' Bo Bichette over 1.5 hits, and Freeman over 0.5 hits, Scherzer 5+ strikeouts (-220) is the fourth most-bet prop in the game by total bets, according to a representative who contacted Casino.org.
After Ohtani, Scherzer 9+ strikeouts (+900) is the second most-bet player prop in the game by total handle.
73.9% of wagers and 66.4% of handles are on the over on Scherzer's most balanced line of 5.5 strikeouts (O +105, U –140). 84.6% of wagers and 98.1% of handles are on the over on Kershaw's most balanced line of 2.5 strikeouts (O –175, U +125).
The most wagers on Jays
First Thoughts for Tonight: Scherzer and Kershaw will each record a strikeout in the first inning, increasing the odds from even to +135 at ESPN BET.
Regarding the game itself, 62.4% of bets and 81.1% of handle are on Over 8.5, while 53.2% of bets and 71.2% of handle are on Blue Jays ML.
At BetMGM, 72% of wagers are on the spread bet Jays +1.5, while 73% are on the Over/Under 9 (Over is -105). Additionally, 73% of moneyline wagers are on the Blue Jays (+115).
Additionally, about 80% of wagers on FanDuel are on the Blue Jays to win tonight. Ohtani's "To Hit a Home Run," Bichette's "To Hit a Home Run," and Max Muncy's "To Hit a Home Run" are the top three player props that players wager on.
