Game 2 Preview: Dodgers vs Angels
On the heels of a marathon loss in game one to the Angels, Dave Roberts will have the best pitcher in baseball starting on the mound. Clayton Kershaw is coming off of perhaps his most dominant start of the season, a complete game shutout of the New York Mets in which he struck out 13 batters.
Opposing Kershaw will be veteran right hander Jered Weaver who is well past his prime. However, Weaver does have a career 1.53 ERA at Dodger Stadium over five career starts.
By The Numbers:
- Kershaw has been dominant in his last three starts, allowing a total of two earned runs in 25 innings while striking out 37 and walking only one. That’s just part of what has been another spectacular season so far for the southpaw, as he leads the Majors in innings pitched (62), strikeouts (77) and WHIP (0.73). He has struck out 10 or more batters in five straight starts.
- Weaver has struggled so far in 2016, but Thursday’s start was particularly painful. The veteran righty retired the first 11 batters he faced, then allowed nine of the next 10 to reach base. His eight earned runs allowed was a season high and piled onto a 6.10 ERA.
- Trout is 2-for-9 with a double and walk in his career against Kershaw.
According to Dave Roberts, Yasiel Puig was out of the lineup on Monday in order to get some mental rest. Puig is expected to start the remainder of the series.
Following tonight’s game at Dodger Stadium the Freeway Series will shift to Anaheim for two games on Wednesday and Thursday. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. PT.
