Dodgers Vs. Royals Preview: Haren Takes The Mound For Series Win

[new_royalslider id=”42″] The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off another dominating performance from Clayton Kershaw as they defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-0 Wednesday to even up the series at one game a piece.

Manager Don Mattingly hands the ball to Dan Haren, who is searching for his eighth win of the year. In his career, Haren is 4-0 in seven starts against the Royals and has a 2.45 ERA.

Starting opposite Haren is James Shields. The right-hander has been impressive of late, going 5-0 in his last nine starts despite having a 5.54 ERA. Along with a high ERA over the nine starts, Shields has also been susceptible to the long ball, having surrendered nine home runs. Wednesday is Shields’ first career start against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers offense has provided plenty of run support for Haren in his last three starts, scoring a combined 17 runs. Hanley Ramirez is once again out of the lineup, which has Yasiel Puig batting second and Adrain Gonzalez hitting third as the designated hitter.

Gonzalez has a .414 average in his last seven Interleague games and he’s had success against Shields in his career, posting a .348 batting average with one home run.

The Royals have been in an offensive skid as of late, as they’re averaging just 2.2 runs per game in their last 10 contests. Second baseman Omar Infante, who is hitting .150 in the last six games hasn’t helped the Royals’ cause, but could turn the corner Wednesday; Infante is a career 10-for-18 against Haren.

Dodgers Lineup:

2B: Gordon

RF: Puig

DH: Gonzalez

LF: Kemp

CF: Ethier

3B: Turner

1B: Van Slyke

C: Ellis

SS: Rojas

P: Haren

Royals Lineup:

RF: Cain

1B: Hosmer

DH: Butler

LF: Gordon

2B: Infante

3B: Moustakas

SS: Escobar

CF: Dyson

C: Hayes

P: Shields
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