Dodgers Go For Sweep on Jackie Robinson Day

Two consecutive Dodger walk-off wins made me realize how much I really did miss baseball this offseason. Two nights and two walk-off heroes. Alex Guerrero‘s walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth inning on Monday night segued into Tuesday’s dramatic walk-off victory off the bat of Howie Kendrick.

Brett Anderson (0-0, 4.50) vs. Taijuan Walker (0-1, 24.30)

The Dodgers got an admirable spot start from David Huff on Tuesday, although he allowed two homeruns in a shaky first inning. Yimi Garcia once again impressed touching 95-mph and pitching another scoreless frame in relief. What was even sweeter was that the Dodgers waged their late comeback off crooked hat wearing closer Fernando Rodney.

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The Dodgers will be vying for the three-game sweep over the Mariners on Wednesday and their fourth win in a row. Wednesday evening will be a special night at Dodger Stadium. The Civil Rights Game as well as Jackie Robinson Day will be celebrated Wednesday with special ceremonies and remembrances of Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier in baseball on April 15, 1947. All players, managers, coaches, (and myself) will be wearing No. 42 in honor of the American historical figure.

Lineup:

Rollins SS

Grandal C

Gonzalez 1B

Kendrick 2B

Ethier RF

Van Slyke LF

Uribe 3B

Pederson CF

Anderson P

Ken Griffey, Jr., one of my favorite non-Dodger players growing up, made the suggestion for everyone to wear of No. 42 to honor Jackie back in 2009 and since has become a tradition.

Yasiel Puig, who reminds me of Jackie Robinson, may not play due to a tight left hamstring. Resting Puig during the early season, even if precautionary, is essential so that a longer time out later on in the season is avoided.

The Dodgers go for the sweep. Photoshop: Stacie Wheeler

Brett Anderson will be making his second start as a Dodger and first home start at Dodger Stadium. The left-hander is looking for his first win in Blue. Anderson wasn’t involved in the decision after the Dodgers lost his first start to the D-backs. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and a walk over 6 innings. Anderson has pitched well against the Mariners in the past when he was in the American League. He is 7-4 with a 1.81 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings pitched against Seattle in 15 career games (14 starts).

Anderson will have to pitch carefully to Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz who both have hit homeruns off of the southpaw in the past and both hit homeruns during the series for Seattle against the Dodgers.

Big right-hander Taijuan Walker is looking to bounce back after a bad first start against the A’s. Walker, who went to Yucaipa High School, allowed 9 runs on 9 hits with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks in his short 3 1/3 inning start. This will be Walker’s first time pitching against the Dodgers and pitching at Dodger Stadium. No current Dodger has had an at bat against Walker.

Blue Bits:

On Jackie Robinson Day 2012, the Dodgers turned a rare bunted triple play in the 5-4 win over the Padres.

Be sure to read the beautiful Jackie Robinson tribute our late writer Kenny Shulsen wrote about the icon.

A three-game sweep of the Mariners would make Jackie Robinson proud, and many fans will get the opportunity to finally watch a Dodger game in their area without blackout restrictions on Wednesday night.

The Civil Rights Game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 as well as SportsNet LA at 7:10 p.m. PT.