Dodgers Nationals Game Two Preview

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After another awful loss, the Dodgers send ace 2.0 to the hill against the Nationals, where they will try to avoid their first five-game losing streak since May 2013.

They come into Tuesday nights game with their first four-game losing streak since August 2013. Monday night’s game escalated rather quickly, as Brett Anderson got singled and doubled to death in the sixth inning and the Dodgers couldn’t score off Gio Gonzalez. They got guys on base, but couldn’t get them home without Adrian Gonzalez, Joc Pederson and Andre Ethier in the lineup. Justin Turner, please come back soon.

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The Dodgers should get instant offense inserted into their lineup tonight, as Zack Greinke will be on the hill in game two. He’s coming off his worst start of the season in Philly, but he still had three hits and a homer. He allowed four runs in the first inning and six in six total innings, which skyrocketed his ERA to 1.71.

Greinke faced the Nationals in Washington less than a month ago, and kept his scoreless streak at the time in tact by hurling eight innings of three hit, 11-strikeout baseball. In three starts since then, Greinke has allowed 10 runs in 21 innings.

Greinke has been dominant in the past against the Nats. In six career starts, Greinke is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA in 36 1/3 innings. Ian Desmond, who hit two home runs on Monday night, is 0-13 in his career against Greinke and Nationals’ superstar Bryce Harper only has one hit in six at-bats. If you remove pitchers, current Nationals are hitting .162 against Greinke.

Joe Ross, who came into the season as the 96th best prospect on Baseball America, gets the start for the Nats. He’s been great in seven career starts, posting a 2.80 ERA (2.57 FIP) and striking out 47 batters in 45 career innings. It’s his first career start against the Dodgers, and on the road Ross has a 3.10 ERA and only 7.00 K/9. The younger brother of Padres’ pitcher Tyson Ross, Joe was part of the three-team trade that landed Wil Myers in San Diego.

Alberto Callaspo is hitting second tonight… That’s.. something. He’s a high contact hitter so I guess that’s not too bad?

After getting the start in center last night, Enrique Hernandez starts at second tonight. Jose Peraza will not be starting.

Pedro Baez will probably not be available out of the bullpen today since he pitched two innings in last nights game for some reason. Luckily, Joel Peralta is well-rested. ~sigh~

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.