Phillies vs. Dodgers Friday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Walker Buehler replaces injured Clayton Kershaw for LA; Bryce Harper may benefit

Los Angeles Dodgers three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, off to another stellar start this season, has been scratched from tonight's home game vs. the Philadelphia Phillies and placed on the injured list. Los Angeles won't have to deal with much of a downgrade, if any, as the Dodgers will start another Cy Young candidate in Walker Buehler – that announcement actually jumped the Dodgers from -225 to -245 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Kershaw was placed on the 15-day injured list with right SI joint inflammation. If you're not an orthopedist and aren't sure what that means, it's an issue the hip/pelvis area. It's good news that the issue isn't something in Kershaw's pitching arm – he had left elbow/forearm trouble last year that wound up ending his season early. Kershaw is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA this season and memorably was pulled after seven perfect innings April 13 at Minnesota.

While Kershaw is +1800 at Caesars to win his fourth Cy Young, Buehler is +1200 for his first – and the former Vanderbilt standout was my spring pick. Buehler, who was to start Saturday, is 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA and has surrendered just one run and 13 hits over 21 innings in his past three.

One Phillies hitter who has to be thrilled with this news is two-time MVP Bryce Harper – we will be denied a rare batter/pitcher MVP matchup as Kershaw also is a former NL MVP. Harper is 5-for-27 with 14 strikeouts off Kershaw career but 1-for-1 with a homer and three RBIs off Buehler.

Kyle Gibson (3-1, 2.94) goes for the Phillies. He has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in three straight outings. Gibson is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in 16 career innings against. Los Angeles. Mookie Betts hammers Gibson. The Dodgers right fielder is 8-for-20 in his career against the Philles starter, including three homers and seven RBIs.

The Phillies have not won a series at Dodger Stadium since taking three games of a four-game set from April 21-24, 2014, but they already took Game 1 on Thursday in a 9-7 upset. it was Philly's sixth win in its past 21 at Dodger Stadium.

Who wins the Preakness Stakes? And which underdog is a must-back? Join SportsLine now to see Jody Demling's picks for the Preakness Stakes, all from the expert who nailed 10 Derby-Oaks doubles and 9 of the last 17 Preakness winners, and find out.