The set-up: The 39-25 LA Dodgers are tied for the third-most wins in MLB while the Cleveland Indians, the defending AL champs, are a much more modest 31-29. However, as the two teams get set to open a three-game IL series Tuesday night in Cleveland, they find themselves in similar positions. Both are second-place teams, one game back of their respective division leaders, Colorado in the NL West and Minnesota in the AL Central. The Dodgers enter on a four-game winning streak but while they are 25-10 at home, LA is just 14-15 on the road. As for Cleveland, the Indians own a winning road record (17-14) but are one of MLB's biggest disappointments in 2017 at home, going just 14-15 (more on that, later).

The pitching matchup; Clayton Kershaw (8-2, 2.20 ERA) steps to the mound for LA and will be opposed by Cleveland's Trevor Bauer (5-5 & 6.10 ERA). Kershaw is having another typical "Kershaw season," as he's among the major league leaders in ERA (2.20), WHIP (0.90) and strikeouts (101). He has allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 starts this season and the Dodgers are 11-2 in his starts (plus-$660, which ranks 5th-best). Kershaw took a no-decision in only start versus Cleveland but that 7.20 ERA should be of little concern, as it came during his rookie season of 2008. Bauer comes off his second-shortest outing of the season, allowing four runs, five hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings of an 8-1 loss in Colorado on Wednesday. However, he had gone 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA in his previous five starts (Indians were 4-1), which included a start that was cut short at 1 2/3 innings because of a rain delay in a game the Indians eventually won 8-0 in Kansas City on June 4. Bauer is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers (team is 2-0). He is 7-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 18 interleague games (17 starts).

This marks the Dodger's first IL game of 2017, something the Indians can't say but wish they could. Cleveland is 1-7 in interleague games this season, including 0-5 versus NL West teams Arizona and Colorado. Kershaw has that awful start against Cleveland back in his rookie season on his IL resume but considering he's 12-4 with a 2.22 ERA in 28 interleague starts. no one should be concerned. Yes, the Dodgers are a modest 14-15 on the road but they are 5-1 when Kershaw starts on the road (talk about a "difference-maker"). I noted earlier that Cleveland was a poor 14-15 at home but will add here that the team's home moneyline mark is the worst in all of MLB at minus-$1204. Make LA an 8* play.