Game Preview: Dodgers Attempt to Improve Offense Against Greinke
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Time: 7:10 PM PT
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Arizona Record: 74-60
Los Angeles Record: 72-62
How are the Dodgers Doing?
The Dodgers dropped the series opener against the Diamondbacks, 3-1. The offense grounded into three double plays and struck out 15 times on Thursday. Rich Hill took the loss after allowing three runs in five innings.
Why is this Game Important?
Losing the opener puts Los Angeles two games out of the NL West lead. They will have to win the next three games if they want to escape this series with a chance at first place. Winning the division remains the most viable way for the Dodgers to make the playoffs. While they trail Arizona by two games, they trail the second wild-card spot by 2.5 games.
Pitching Matchup
Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-1, 2.18) vs Zack Greinke (13-8, 2.93 ERA)
The Dodgers will throw another lefty against Arizona with Hyun-Jin Ryu taking the hill. He allowed 11 hits against the Padres in his last outing but gave up just two runs (one earned) and wound up with the victory.
Former Dodger Zack Greinke faces his former team for the third time this year. He beat the Dodgers in his previous two meeting this season. In 51 career starts at Dodger Stadium, Greinke has an ERA of 2.34.
Matchup of the Day
Cody Bellinger vs Zack Greinke
In just 18 plate appearances against Greinke, Cody Bellinger has six hits, including three home runs. He is batting .360 this month, which is the highest average he has posted in any single month in his big league career.
Vegas Odds
Odds Sharks
Predicted Score
Los Angeles: 5.2
Diamondbacks: 3.2
Moneyline Consensus
Los Angeles: -130
Diamondbacks: +120
FiveThirtyEight
Los Angeles: 52% chance of winning
Diamondbacks: 48% chance of winning
Fun Fact
On this day last season, the Dodgers were 91-41 and led the NL West by 16 games.
Dodgers Prospect Report: Cody Thomas
How are the Dodgers Doing? you ask. My answer: They suck against the good teams – “The offense grounded into three double plays and struck out 15 times on Thursday,” you state, plus they don’t hit with runners in scoring position. Too many of their home runs are solo shots.
“Boom or Bust” as their own announcers say. So many games lost on just one pitch or play not made.
Jim pretty much nailed it, except for the unreliable bullpen, I would add.
The Dodgers Are done for this year. They don’t have a bullpen and Jansen is done. He won’t recover and should probably think about retirement. Kershaw is on the downhill and should do the same. They can’t win many games on a string of home runs. They don’t hit in the clutch and can’t string more than 2 hits at a time. See Ya next year. By the way they won’t make the wild card either. Bye Bye!!!