Dodgers Vs. Reds Preview: Kemp Makes First Start In Left Since 2006
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Riding a three-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers have received dominant pitching from Josh Beckett, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Greinke. Taking the mound Wednesday as the Dodgers look to sweep the Cincinnati Reds is arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
Clayton Kershaw is 3-1 this season with an inflated 3.49 ERA due to a second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which he was charged with seven runs. Kershaw rebounded from the rough outing in his next start, striking out nine in six innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Kershaw has made eight lifetime starts against the Reds and is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA. The lefty won his lone start against them last season after three consecutive no-decisions spanning across 2011 and 2012. Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips have fared well against Kershaw in their careers, hitting .357 and .364, respectively.
Taking the mound for the Reds is Homer Bailey. The right-hander is 4-3 with a 5.34 ERA this season and is coming off a win in his last start. Bailey has struggled on the road however, going 0-2 in his last three starts away from Great American Ball Park.
Bailey is 3-3 in eight career starts against the Dodgers and is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA at Dodger Stadium and has won two of his last three starts in Los Angeles. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .476 against Bailey in 21 career at-bats with five home runs.
After a five-game absence, Matt Kemp makes his return to the lineup. With Carl Crawford spraining his ankle in Tuesday’s game, Kemp starts in left field for the first time since 2006. Hanley Ramirez is playing in his second consecutive game and remains fourth in the lineup, batting behind Yasiel Puig.
Dodgers Lineup:
2B: Gordon
CF: Ethier
RF: Puig
SS: Ramirez
1B: Gonzalez
LF: Kemp
3B: Turner
C: Butera
P: Kershaw
Reds Lineup:
CF: Hamilton
3B: Frazier
2B: Phillips
C: Mesoraco
RF: Bruce
LF: Ludwick
1B: Pena
SS: Cozart
P: Bailey
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