Dodgers Angels Game 3 Preview

Since getting swept in Houston, the Dodgers are 13-2 and searching for their third sweep in six series’ since, as they wrap up interleague play in Anaheim.

I had like 300 more words about tonight’s game, but then Mat Latos, who was scheduled to start, was scratched with a stiff neck. Joe Wieland will get the ball in his place. This will be Wieland’s ninth career start, and only his second with the Dodgers. His first did not go well, as he allowed six runs and six hits in Milwaukee back in May.

Aug 29, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (43) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Richards gets the start for the Angels tonight, who now sit at .500 on the season. If the Dodgers win tonight, their record against .500 or better teams takes a huge hit, which is one of the many reasons that’s one of the dumbest stats in sports. Richards was a stud last year, but has had a rougher year after bouncing back from a torn patellar tendon suffered last August. He’s 13-10 in 26 starts with a 3.77 ERA (3.80 FIP) and his hit, walk and home run rates are all up while his strikeouts are down. The Dodgers missed him in their first series this season, but he threw a five-hit CGSO last August at Dodger Stadium in Richard’s second highest game score of his career (84).

Remember yesterday when I complained about Justin Ruggiano, leadoff hitter? Ladies and gentlemen, Scott Schebler, leadoff hitter. Schebler has a homer and four hits in 11 major league plate appearances and has stolen two bases, both of which came in his only start since being recalled in September.

Corey Seager is playing at short for the fourth time in six career starts. He made the first two errors of his career last night, and I’m glad he got those out of the way in a four-run game. It’s going to happen and much to my surprise, he isn’t perfect. But if you’ve watched him at the plate this year, you should feel pretty confident in him moving forward.

“NL West-leading battery of Joe Wieland and Austin Barnes“. Sorry. I had to get that out there. I’m super high on Barnes and Wieland could be a solid pitching prospect moving forward (especially if he keeps using the high socks, which I LOVE). But if you had told me that the Dodgers would run this battery out there on September 9th, I would have assumed they had either wrapped up the division a month ago or they were tanking for Andrew Luck. Neither is the case, and yet, here we are.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PST and will be shown on ESPN with no blackouts.