Dodgers Vs. Cardinals Preview: Greinke And Company Look To Bounce Back
The Dodgers send Zack Greinke to the mound, who is coming off a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. This season, Greinke has posted an 11-5 record with a 2.53 ERA.
For his career, the Dodger right-hander has pitched relatively well against St. Louis, going 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA. In 13 total appearances against the Cardinals, Greinke has only surrendered seven home runs.
More impressively, Greinke has pitched will against Matt Holliday. The Cardinals’ slugger is 3-for-17 against Greinke over the past three seasons. Greinke will have to continue that trend today if the Dodgers are to win.
The Cardinals call on Joe Kelly to earn them their second straight win. Kelly is 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA this season. The California-born product has a 1-1 career record against Los Angeles with a 3.72 ERA. Kelly has given up three home runs and eight walks over four appearances against the Dodgers.
As far as the Dodgers offense is concerned, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez may be due a big game. Of the current Dodger players, Gonzalez has hit Kelly the best, going 4-for-7 with a home run and three RBIs.
With Matt Kemp struggling of late, he does not start today. Kemp is on a 2-for-17 slump and has just one career hit in six at-bats against Kelly. Carl Crawford starts in Kemp’s place and will bat second.
Andre Ethier, another Dodger who has struggled against Kelly, is also out of the lineup with Scott Van Slyke taking over in center field.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Gordon
LF: Crawford
RF: Puig
SS: Ramirez
1B: Gonzalez
CF: Van Slyke
3B: Uribe
C: Ellis
P: Greinke
Cardinals Lineup
3B: Carpenter
2B: Wong
LF: Holliday
1B: Adams
SS: Peralta
RF: Taveras
C: Kottaras
CF: Jay
P: Kelly
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