Dodgers vs. Giants Prediction and Odds for Thursday, August 4 (Kershaw Bounces Back)

The San Francisco Giants are seeing their playoff hopes quickly dissipate and they desperately need a win against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers today.

Jakob Junis takes the mound for San Francisco after allowing just one run over his last two starts. He's still rounding into form after spending time on the Injured List, but has impressed as the Giants are 5-1 in his last six starts.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, just keeps rolling. Heading into yesterday's slate, the Dodgers won nine of 10 as road favorites. They get their generational ace today in Kershaw, who did give up four runs to the Giants last month but has a 2.66 ERA on the season.

Can San Francisco earn a much-needed win or will Kershaw get his revenge?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help pick a winner in this Dodgers vs Giants matchup:

Dodgers vs Giants Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Dodgers -1.5 (-125)
• Giants +1.5 (+105)

Moneyline:

• Dodgers: -205
• Giants: +185

Total:

• Total 8.0 (Over -105/Under -115)

Dodgers vs Giants Prediction and Pick

Clayton Kershaw struggled a bit in his last two starts, but he's still been one of MLB's most dominant pitchers this season. He's allowed one run or fewer in nine of his 14 starts and I anticipate a bounce-back performance against a Giants team that consistently disappears entirely.

San Francisco has a horrific defense and a terrible bullpen, putting enormous pressure on their starting rotation and weak lineup to deliver. Since Junis is still ramping up, he likely won't throw more than five innings if he's lucky. That means Los Angeles will have ample opportunity to attack the Giants' relievers.

Junis already ranks in the 33rd percentile in expected batting average, and his underlying metrics pale in comparison to Kershaw's. Take a gander at Kershaw's MLB Statcast Pitching Profile:

A little down from his Cy Young years, but still a stellar output.

After the unfortunate passing of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully, I expect Kershaw's best effort to honor whom he called "the best there ever was."

Trust Kershaw and the Dodgers to earn a convincing win as their hopeful march to the World Series continues.

Pick: Dodgers -1.5

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.