Dodgers Pirates Game 2

After a comfortable win against the Bucs yesterday, the Dodgers and Pirates go at it again tonight. The Dodgers will look to take it to another lefty in Francisco Liriano. On the mound tonight it’s an all lefty affair.

Clayton Kershaw gets the call for the Dodgers. The reigning Cy Young and MVP award winner is in the midst of another stellar year and would be in the thick of the Cy Young race if it wasn’t for teammate Zack Grienke. On the year, Kershaw has gone 14-6 with 264 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP. Kershaw has been particularly good at home this year with a 1.40 ERA at Dodger Stadium. He gave up 4 runs in 6 innings in his last game against the Pirates.

The Pirates counter with the veteran left hander Francisco Liriano. This year, Liriano is 10-7 with an ERA of 3.45. He has also compiled 182 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP. He will be looking to rebound from a rough outing his last time out, in which he gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in just 2.1 innings.

On offense, Howie Kendrick returns to give a welcome boost to the lineup after missing an extended period with a hamstring issue. The Dodgers lineup like this tonight:

Tonight’s lineup:

Ruggiano LF
Kendrick 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Turner 3B
Seager SS
Ellis C
Heisey RF
Pederson CF
Kershaw P

Much the same for the Dodgers again tonight. Notably Yasmani Grandal sits again in favour of A.J Ellis. Ruggiano will look to continue his onslaught on left-handers at the top of the lineup. Corey Seager will look to stay hot in the midst of an amazing start to his career. Heisey again gets the start over Scott Van Slyke, suggesting he has still to over come his ailment.

This is starting to look like a truly dangerous lineup once again Dodgers Fans. If Yasmani Grandal can find his stroke again and the polarising yet brilliant Yasiel Puig can prove himself healthy in time, this offense could be ready for a deep push into October.

First pitch is at 8:10, GO DODGERS!!