Last night's National League contest ran a familiar script. The Dodgers sent an ace pitcher to the mound. The Milwaukee Brewers posted a few early runs. And the Dodgers threatened to take the lead in the late innings. Can't the Baseball Gods offer us something a little different?

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Now, for something completely different... Not.

The Dodgers send lefty Rich Hill to the mound to try to stop the Brewers from taking Game 4 on the road. If LA can't win this one, can the end of their season be far off? Los Angeles is a -150 favorite at home, but the Brewers haven't been checking the odds this series. God help them if they are ever actually favored to win a game this series.

Milwaukee offers Gio Gonzales (+135), who only pitched two innings in Game 1, giving up an earned run on one hit, a dinger to Manny Machado. Manager Craig Counsel was quick with the hook, moving immediately to the Brewer bullpen in hopes to stem any possibility of a sustained Dodger rally. So how long will Gonzalez' leash be tonight? And how much longer before both teams' relief corp become thoroughly exhausted?

Yesterday, Walter Buehler went seven full while winner Jhoulys Chacin just 5.1 innings. The impact on the bullpens has got to materialize in this series at some point, doesn't it? With the Brewers constantly dipping into the well early, one would think that exhaustion and familiarity will play into the Dodger's favor, sooner or later. Perhaps tonight, at home, is when those strains begin to reveal the weakness in the Brewers' armor.

Hill should go at least six innings tonight while Gonzales will be lucky to make it through four. This will give LA the opportunity to score a few early runs, and perhaps hold a lead for just the second time in the series. If Counsel cracks open the bullpen early again, the Dodgers just may be able to tie up the series, and perhaps even lead it on the way back to Milwaukee for games 6 & 7. With Ace Pitcher Clayton Kershaw scheduled to start Game 5 at home, LA will once again be the favorite to win.

Perhaps someone ought to share that with the Milwaukee Brewers...

I'll keep betting the favorite in this series, taking LA -150. I'll add a bet on the Over (o7.5 -110) too, as these bullpens are sure to get involved early if either Hill or, more likely, Gonzalez, gets into trouble early. I'm counting on Counsel to have the hook ready, and to offer the Dodgers yet another opportunity to rummage through the Brewer bullpen for a few extra runs.

Good luck with your bets and your favorite teams!