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eak on Wednesday when they visit the Washington Nationals (63-63) as large road underdogs at the sportsbooks. The Phillies dropped the series opener to the Nationals 10-4 on Tuesday http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-panik-jersey , with their bullpen getting blown up for nine runs over three innings.MLB betting line: The Nationals opened as -173 favorites (wager $173 to win $100); the total is at 8.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 3.5-1.6, Phillies (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Phillies can pay on the MLB linesPhiladelphia's relief pitchers cannot perform much worse than they did on Tuesday, and hopefully Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.70 ERA) can stay in the game longer than Vincent Velasquez did. Velasquez gave up just one run in the first four innings before the bullpen imploded, and Eflin has gone at least six innings in each of his previous three outings.The 24-year-old righty has earned two wins over that stretch, and the one loss in between them was actually a better effort than either victory with two runs allowed in six innings and eight strikeouts. If Eflin can pitch like that again, the Phillies can win. Why the Nationals can pay on the MLB linesWashington started a fire sale earlier on Tuesday and then responded with a nice victory Willie McCovey Jersey , perhaps motivated by the departures of Daniel Murphy and Matt Adams. Where the Nationals go from here remains to be seen, but they are back at the .500 mark and will see Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 3.90 ERA) go to the mound for the first time since July 20.Susan Walsh/Associated PressStrasburg surrendered six runs and eight hits in 4.2 innings of an 8-5 home loss to the Atlanta Braves in that last start and then proceeded to go on the disabled list with a neck injury. The extra rest should only benefit him in this spot, and he went 6-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 10 starts versus Philadelphia between 2015 and 2017.Smart betting pickAs great as Strasburg has been in the past, he has not been good in 2018. He has lost in each of his past three starts, so it is extremely difficult to trust him as such a big favorite. The betting value is on Eflin and the Phillies, who had won eight of the previous 12 meetings in the series before Tuesday, according to the OddsShark MLB Database. MLB betting trendsThe total has gone over in five of Philadelphia's last seven games.Washington is 3-6 in its last nine games.The total has gone over in five of Washington's last six games at home.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw couldn’t rescue the Dodgers from the brink of World Series elimination, and now the pitcher regarded as the best of his generation might be on his way out of Los Angeles.Down 3-1 to the Boston Red Sox http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-mel-ott-jersey , the Dodgers turned to their three-time NL Cy Young Award winner to deliver a victory and force the best-of-seven Series back to Boston.Instead, it was another postseason shellacking for Kershaw.The left-hander gave up three home runs, including a two-run shot by Steve Pearce in the first inning, and the Dodgers lost 5-1 on Sunday night.“It just hurts worse when you make it all the way and get second place,” Kershaw said quietly.The Dodgers glumly watched the opposition celebrate a World Series championship on their field for the second straight year. Last October, it was Houston partying at Chavez Ravine after winning Game 7 by the same 5-1 score.This time, the Dodgers only lasted five games.“It might not be a personnel thing,” Kershaw said of his team’s failures. “It might just be a play better thing.”Manager Dave Roberts visibly exhaled. Rookie Walker Buehler stared at the Red Sox hugging near the mound.“This one hurts for all of us,” Roberts said.The Dodgers managed just one baserunner — via walk — after the third inning. They were held to three hits.Kershaw gave up four runs and seven hits in seven innings, struck out five and walked none. Kershaw has a 6.06 ERA in six career postseason starts with his team facing elimination Hunter Pence Jersey , the worst among any starter with four such appearances — Pedro Martinez is next on the list at 5.92.After falling out of contention to start the season, the Dodgers beat Colorado in the NL tiebreaker for a record sixth straight division title and got by Milwaukee in seven games to earn their second consecutive NL pennant.But they couldn’t get it done when it counted most. It’s been 30 years since the storied franchise won the last of its six titles.“Ran up against a very good ballclub,” Roberts said, “and just a little bit too much for us.”Kershaw can opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract now that the World Series is over. Dodgers ownership has made it clear they’d like to keep their 30-year-old ace. He has never played anywhere else during his big-league career.“I’ve got three days now to think about all that stuff, and so it will be an eventful three days for me,” Kershaw said. “I haven’t made the decision yet. We have three days to talk, between us and the Dodgers, see what happens.”Roberts addressed his team after the game, and singled out Kershaw, who has been the face of the franchise for years.“I did mention Clayton by name as far as his legacy with the Dodgers http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-williams-jersey , and what’s he done for the organization, the fan base,” Roberts said. “Wearing this jersey, Clayton exemplifies what it is to be a Dodger and to be a man of character.”Fellow left-hander Rich Hill credited Kershaw for being what he called “the heart and soul of this organization.”“Clayton is the Dodgers,” he said. “I just hope they do the right thing.”Manny Machado could be gone, too, after a short stay in Los Angeles. He was hitless in four at-bats Sunday, with three strikeouts, including one to end the game.Acquired before the July trade deadline, Machado showed excellent defense at shortstop Bruce Bochy Jersey , but his lack of hustle and incendiary antics were even more notable. Injured Corey Seager will be back in the hole next year.Roberts hasn’t received a contract extension, but he said afterward, “I expect to be managing the Dodgers.”A year after leading the majors in victories, the Dodgers were on a whipsaw ride. They often fell behind and had to rally. Many times it worked. Other times not.“I expect us to be back here next year,” Roberts said.Maybe not everyone, though.