Reds-Dodgers Odds: Kershaw’s Debut Attracting Flurry of Sharp Betting Action

The calendar reads April 15, and although it feels like we've already been betting on baseball for months now, most teams have close to 145 games remaining. The Dodgers' bats have been off to a terrific start, but their pitching  staff could use some help, as they've allowed more than five runs per game.

Clayton Kershaw sounds like a fella that could help the cause.

Kershaw has been sidelined for the start of the season thanks to shoulder soreness, marking the fourth consecutive season that he's missed time with an injury.

Last year also featured some of his worst statistics in a long time, as well as an average fastball velocity that was nearly two mph slower than in 2017.

Perhaps with that in mind, sharp bettors have hit the Reds hard this morning.

After opening at -175/+161, three bet signals have moved the line 20 cents, with Cincinnati now at +141.

Just 30% of bettors are on the Red Legs, who are throwing Luis Castillo — a man boasting a Kershaw-esque 0.92 ERA in three starts this year.

The over/under has also been on the move. It opened at 7, which is a number that can be expected in a Kershaw start, but has moved up to 7.5. The culprit? More sharp bettors.

Two bet signals have been triggered on the over compared to none on the under, and though total bets are split, the over is commanding more than 90% of early money.

All signs point to a Kershaw shellacking. Well, maybe not a shellacking, but don't be shocked if he doesn't twirl a gem in his 2019 return.