Preview: Dodgers Look To Maintain Success Against Reds
After snapping a five-game losing streak on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to remain in win column against the Cincinnati Reds, a team who has dropped the last four matchups against Los Angeles.
Looking to string together some wins, and maintain their 2.5 game lead in the division over the San Francisco Giants, the reigning National League West Champions send southpaw Brett Anderson to the hill. On the season Anderson is 7-8 with a 3.52 ERA, 3.92 FIP, and 1.32 WHIP.
In his last outing against the Houston Astros, the 27 year old gave up three runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in six innings of work. With no run support in an eventual no-hitter for Mike Fiers, the Dodgers lost 3-0.
However, in Anderson’s only start against the Reds this season the Dodgers won, 8-3. In that game Anderson allowed three runs in six innings of work and had 18 ground ball outs. The lefty is 4-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 12 road starts this season.
Opposing Anderson is fellow left-hander David Holmberg. This season the 24-year-old Holmberg is 1-3 with a 6.57 ERA, 7.63 FIP, and 1.74 WHIP. In his previous outing against Los Angeles, Holmberg was rocked as he allowed seven runs and five hits, including home runs to Adrian Gonzalez, Kiké Hernandez and Justin Turner in only two innings of work.
To little surprise given Holmberg is a left-hander, Joc Pederson is again out of the Dodgers lineup with Hernandez starting in center field. Yasmani Grandal, saddled with shoulder soreness, is missing his second straight game. As for players in the lineup, Yasiel Puig enters play with an eight-game hitting streak.
As much as the Dodgers have struggled recently at the plate, they still lead the National League in home runs (150) and on-base percentage (.328); they rank second in walks (424) and slugging percentage (.422).
Dodgers Lineup:
SS Jimmy Rollins
RF Yasiel Puig
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Justin Turner
LF Scott Van Slyke
2B Chase Utley
CF Kiké Hernandez
P Brett Anderson
Reds Lineup:
CF Jason Bourgeois
SS Eugenio Suarez
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
3B Todd Frazier
RF Jay Bruce
LF Ivan DeJesus, Jr.
C Brayan Pena
P David Holmberg
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