Dodgers Look to Take Series Against Phils

After a much better game on Wednesday night, the Dodgers will look to win their second series against the Phillies this season, and they have the right guy on the hill to do so.

Zack Greinke will get the ball in the rubber match in Philly against David Buchanan. Greinke has thrown 10 consecutive quality starts dating back to his June 2 start at Coors, but is relatively “struggling” of late. He’s given up multiple runs in back to back starts for the first time this season, but has gone at least seven innings in each of his last six starts. He pitched a gem against the Phillies at Dodger Stadium in his final start before the all-star game, throwing eight innings of one-hit ball and registering his highest game score of the season.

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Buchanan hasn’t faced the Dodgers this season, but he faced them in his Major League debut last year. He got the win at Dodger Stadium last May, holding the Dodgers to two runs in five innings while his offense scored four in the first two innings against Dan Haren. He hasn’t had a lot of success this season, posting a 6.44 ERA (4.31 FIP) in eight starts. He’s only struck out five more batters than he’s walked this season, so (notice the common theme of this series), the Dodgers SHOULD be able to beat up on him.

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The Dodgers’ bats have been alive against the Phillies, posting double digit hits in both of the first two games. However, the Dodgers left 13 men on base in Tuesday’s contest and 12 men on base in Wednesday’s game. Against a team like the Phillies, you can sometimes get away with that, but leaving the bases loaded and scoring no runs in three consecutive innings won’t cut it down the stretch. It nearly cost them the game on Wednesday, and they’re going to have to clean it up as the pennant race heats up.

While it seems like the team struggles with runners in scoring position, their slashline with RISP is .258/.345/.416, all of which are above the National League and MLB averages. It doesn’t really matter if the Dodgers score via the longball or smallball, as long as their scoring runs. When they go on their offensive lulls, it makes it a lot more frustrating when they come up short in advantageous situations.

After sitting two of the three games against the Angels, Joc Pederson has has a much better approach at the plate. He’s still 0-for his last 20, but has walked three times in each of the first two games against the Phillies. If he’s getting on base and playing + defense, it’s worth waiting out his hitting slump. While most slumping players would struggle hitting in front of the pitcher, Joc’s ability to draw walks should play well in the eight spot.

Last night’s hero/goat Yasiel Puig is out of the lineup. On Wednesday, Puig hit the three-run home run that gave the Dodgers the lead in the first inning, but was also thrown out trying to score on a wild pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 AM PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA. After the game, the Dodgers have a short trip to open up a three game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates.