Dodgers Reds Game Three Preview

These 9 AM PST games should be illegal.

It’s an early getaway day for the Dodgers on Thursday, as they return home after the game for a three game series against the Cubs before the Giants come to town. First things first, the Dodgers have a chance for their first three game winning streak since… the last time they played the Reds. Can we get a petition to get Cincinnati back in the NL West?

After two games of productive offense and good starting pitching, the Dodgers can sweep the Reds in Cincinnati and

Aug 22, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto tags up at third base in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park. The Diamondbacks won 11-7. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

potentially take a 3.5 game lead in the West. They have the right guy on the hill to do so, as Zack Greinke gets his 26th start of the season on Thursday. In his previous 25, he has 23 quality starts and has only given up three or more runs five times. Greinke pitched a gem against the Reds earlier this month, allowing a run and six hits in seven innings while striking out eight.

Greinke’s started six games at Great American Ballpark in his career and is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He has 43 Ks and nine walks in 40 innings and has allowed four homers. Joey Votto has had success against Greinke in the past (who HASN’T he had success against) to the tune of a .444/.516/926 slashline in 31 plate appearances.

Anthony DeSclafani gets the ball for the Reds. He pitched well against Greinke and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium earlier this month (six IP, two runs, six Ks), but did give up a homer to Greinke in that game. No current Dodgers have double digit plate appearances in the past against him, but Yasiel Puig and Jimmy Rollins have each had some relative success against him.

With a righty on the hill, the Dodger lineup looks a lot different today. Yasmani Grandal is back behind the plate, as he has been in each of Grienke’s last 15 starts.

Also back in center is Joc Pederson, who was kinda benched but I still don’t really believe Enrique Hernandez is the official new starting center fielder. In the last four games, the Dodgers have faced three lefties. It makes sense to platoon them, but until Pederson sits more often against righties it’s hard to say he isn’t their starter. Andre Ethier is also back in the lineup, and this is the first time Kiké hasn’t started a game since August 6th.

First pitch is scheduled for 9:30 AM PST (ugh) and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.