Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets Prediction: Will the Bats Get to Clayton Kershaw, Tylor Megill?

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets Prediction: Will the Bats Get to Clayton Kershaw, Tylor Megill?

I’m sure we all remember the juiced baseball fiasco from last season. A study was performed on baseballs from all over the country, collected at different ballparks throughout the season. Do you know where they found the majority of the baseballs? A ton of these baseballs were unsurprisingly found in the Bronx during Aaron Judge’s home run record chase.

Want to take a guess as to where a bunch of the other juiced baseballs was found? That’s right, they were found in primetime nationally televised games. It is clear what baseball is trying to accomplish: they want to start filling more seats and grow the game by making it more exciting, hence more runs. Don’t be surprised If Rob Manfred hand-delivered some of those juiced baseballs to Dodgers Stadium for tonight’s matchup against the Mets on TBS.

Dodgers vs, Mets Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023
• Game Time: 10:10 pm ET
• Where to Watch: TBS, MLB.TV

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets Prediction

Besides the fact that we may see juiced baseballs getting launched to the moon during another nationally televised MLB game, there are plenty of less conspiracy-like reasons to back the over tonight. The total has increased from 8 to 8.5, an interesting move considering how well both Tylor Megill and Clayton Kershaw have pitched this season. The betting splits support the over tonight as well, with some big bets already locked in.

Although both of these arms have pitched well up to this point, the regression monster is lurking. We know Kershaw only has so much juice left in the tank. It’s impressive what the future Hall of Famer has been able to do with his decreased velocity, but that could certainly catch up to him against this stacked Mets lineup.

Tylor Megill wasn’t even slated to be in the Opening Day starting rotation but has done an impeccable job in his three starts. He has struggled with his command at times, walking seven batters in 16 innings pitched. Megill was able to wiggle out of some really tough spots against the Padres the other night, and it would be surprising if his luck continued. You can’t give the Dodgers free bases; they will take advantage of them. Los Angeles ranks second in MLB in walks, with over 80 already.

If the Dodgers rank second in walks, who is first? Funny you should ask, the Mets have 88 walks this season. Kershaw has walked a few guys in each of his previous two starts. Megill and Kershaw could both be in for rude awakenings against two of the most patient teams in baseball.

It wouldn’t be fair to either of these stacked lineups if I did an entire write-up about the over in this game without mentioning some of their elite offensive weapons. Freddie Freeman and Will Smith picked up right where they left off in 2022 and are two of the best hitters in baseball. Mookie Betts is still one of the best players in baseball, and Max Muncy is the hottest hitter in the game.

In the opposing dugout, the Mets lineup might be even more stacked, with Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Francisco Lindor at the top of the order. These offenses are stacked, and the baseballs will probably be juiced tonight. Don’t be surprised if Tylor Megill and/or Clayton Kershaw get roughed up for the first time in 2023.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets Pick

NYM/LAD o8.5 (-105) Bet $100 to collect $195 DraftKings has the best odds; click here to bet

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