Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Quick read:

Emmet Sheehan is coming off a dominant outing where he fanned 10 batters over 6.1 innings, showcasing the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that can neutralize even a hot-hitting Cardinals lineup. His ability to limit damage early sets the stage for the Dodgers to build a lead on the road.

Matthew Liberatore’s recent struggles loom large here. Giving up five runs in just over three innings last time out signals he’s vulnerable to a team like Los Angeles that boasts a lineup featuring heavy hitters such as Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. The Cardinals will have to find timely hits early or risk falling behind in a ballpark that doesn’t shy away from runs.

The Dodgers’ offense is clicking with a .351 on-base percentage away from home, ranking second in the National League. Even with key injuries, they have enough firepower to pressure Liberatore and pile on runs, while their pitching staff should keep the Cardinals’ home run-reliant lineup in check. This all points toward a Dodgers win by at least two runs in the opener of this series.