Editorials

Preview: Zack Greinke, Dodgers Look To End Four Game Skid

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers lackluster performance Monday night resulted in a 8-3 loss in their series opener against the Washington Nationals. The loss marked the Dodgers fourth in row, the first time they have lost four straight games since September 2013.

Despite the four-game losing streak, the Dodgers (62-50) still remain 2.5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the National League West as the Giants have also lost four straight.

Los Angeles will look to get back on track Tuesday night, and they have just the right man on the mound to do so.

Zack Greinke will make his 23rd start of the season. He is 11-2 with a league-leading 1.71 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and .190 opponent batting average. The right-hander will go for a seventh straight win as he is 6-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his last nine starts. Furthermore, in 41 starts at Dodger Stadium since joining the Dodgers in 2013 he is 23-5 with a 2.10 ERA.

He’s 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA in six career starts against the Nationals. He had a season-high 11 strikeouts in eight innings of a 5-0 win at Washington on July 19. Greinke will be opposed by rookie right-hander Joe Ross.

The 22-year-old is 3-3 with a 2.80 ERA in seven starts this season. He has struck out 47 and only walked four in 45 innings pitched. He will be facing the Dodgers for the first time in his career.

All the left-handed bats that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly gave days off to Monday against Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez are back in the lineup Tuesday. That includes Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Andre Ethier and a struggling Joc Pederson.

Since the All-Star break Pederson is batting just .183 with one homer and three RBIs, while striking out 26 times in 71 at-bats.

Washington shortstop Ian Desmond, who started off the season slow, has warmed up a bit, going 8-for-19 with three homers, two doubles and six RBI in his last five games. He had three hits, including two home runs Monday night. He hasn’t seen much success against Greinke in his career though, as he is 0-for-13 against him.

Nationals All-star outfielder Bryce Harper was scratched from the Nationals lineup just hours before the game with left knee soreness. Former Dodger Clint Robinson took his spot in the lineup and will bat cleanup.

Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch, as Tuesday night is Lakers night at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

3B: Alberto Callaspo

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

LF: Andre Ethier

C: Yasmani Grandal

RF: Yasiel Puig

CF: Joc Pederson

2B: Kike Hernandez

P: Zack Greinke

Nationals Lineup:

3B: Yunel Escobar

2B: Anthony Rendon

1B: Ryan Zimmerman

RF: Clint Robinson

LF: Jayson Werth

SS: Ian Desmond

C: Wilson Ramos

CF: Michael Taylor

P: Joe Ross

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