Game Preview: Dodgers Take to the Bay Area to Face the Athletics
Los Angeles Dodgers at Oakland Athletics
Time: 7:05 PM PT
Venue: Oakland Coliseum
Oakland Record: 67-46
Los Angeles Record: 62-51
How are the Dodgers Doing?
At last, the Dodgers finally had a day off on Monday. They played 17 consecutive days to open the second half of the season, going 9-8 during that stretch. Los Angeles lost their last set to the Astros, but won the series finale on Sunday, 3-2.
The injury bug is back to haunt the Dodgers. Matt Kemp is dealing with an ankle contusion, while Yasiel Puig is limited with oblique soreness. The team placed Alex Wood on the disabled list with left adductor tendonitis.
Why is this Game Important?
The Dodgers are 7-6 in interleague matchups this year but have been outscored by 10 runs in these games. The Athletics have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball. PECOTA projected them to win 76 games before the start of the season and they are nine wins away from that total with two months left in the season.
The Diamondbacks defeated Phillies on Monday, giving them 0.5 game lead over the Dodgers heading into Tuesday.
Pitching Matchup
Rich Hill (4-4, 3.63 ERA) vs Sean Manaea (10-7, 3.38 ERA)
Rich Hill pitched for Oakland for the first half of 2016, going 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA. This is Hill’s first time returning to the Oakland Coliseum since the Athletics traded him, along with Josh Reddick to Los Angeles. He earned a no-decision in his last start after allowing one earned run in six innings against the Brewers.
Sean Manaea lost to the Dodgers back in April, allowing two home runs in five innings. Two starts later though, he pitched the game of his life, tossing a no-hitter against the Red Sox. He is averaging only 3.29 strikeouts per game over his last seven starts but has an ERA of just 3.32 during that span.
Matchup of the Day
Manny Machado vs Sean Manaea
Manny Machado comes to Oakland, fresh off a three-hit performance against Houston. He is batting .309 with three home runs in 24 games at the Oakland Coliseum in his career. He only faced Manaea once, hitting a double against the Athletics’ pitcher.
Vegas Odds
Odds Sharks
Los Angeles: -117
Oakland: +107
FiveThirtyEight
Los Angeles: 48% chance of winning
Oakland: 52% chance of winning
Fun Fact
Dodgers Bench Coach Bob Geren managed the Athletics from 2007-11.
Dodgers: Heroes of the Second Half So Far