Game Preview: Dodgers Look to Split Series as Justin Turner Makes Return
Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers
Time: 6:10 PM PT
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Milwaukee Record: 63-48
Los Angeles Record: 60-49
How are the Dodgers Doing?
The first four innings of Wednesday’s outing was reminiscent of the previous three games for the Dodgers. Brewers’ starter Chase Anderson was throwing a perfect game heading into the fifth inning before the Dodgers offense decided to wake up. Yasmani Grandal and Brian Dozier hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth. They added two more in the seventh before capping off the game with a walk-off two-run home run by Grandal in the 10th inning.
Brian Dozier made Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi look like geniuses with his Dodgers debut. After costing the Dodgers a run with an error in the first inning, he made up for that blunder with his bat. He went 3-4 with a double and a home run.
Why is this Game Important?
After adding Dozier, the Dodgers will add another infielder to the roster with the return of Justin Turner. Turner had missed last week, recovering from a right groin strain. While his numbers this season do not jump off the charts (.259/.354/.398), the Dodgers have missed Turner’s presence. The Dodgers have played 59 without Turner this season, going 28-31 when he is not in the lineup.
Pitching Matchup
Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 2.52 ERA) vs Jhoulys Chacin (10-3, 3.45 ERA)
Several critics questioned whether Clayton Kershaw had lost his form after a loss in velocity and multiple stints on the disabled list. He has challenged any doubts with his performance in recent outings. Kershaw went 3-1 with an ERA of 1.95 in July. His lone loss last month, came against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
The Brewers will throw Jhoulys Chacin on the mound. He won all four of his decisions in July, but has allowed a home run in each of his last three starts. Chacin is familiar with the Dodgers, making his 25th career start against the franchise. He has a 4.08 ERA in his career at Dodger Stadium.
Matchup of the Day
Cody Bellinger vs Jhoulys Chacin
In 26 July games, Cody Bellinger hit just .228 with one home run. Fortunately, that month came and past for the left-handed slugger. He reached base twice on Wednesday and has made hard contact on multiple instances over the past week. In 10 at-bats against Chacin, Bellinger has accumulated four hits, including a home run.
Vegas Odds
Odds Sharks
Los Angeles: -200
Milwaukee: +185
FiveThirtyEight
Los Angeles: 60% chance of winning
Milwaukee: 40% chance of winning
Fun Fact
Since 1969, dating back to when they were known as the Seattle Pilots, the Brewers have played in four different divisions (AL West, AL East, AL Central, NL Central).