Dodgers DBacks Game 2 Preview

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The Dodgers look to snap a three game losing streak tonight with Alex Wood taking on the Diamondbacks.

Last night’s loss was annoying as the Dodgers were struck down a peg by the BABIP Gods. Brett Anderson is always going to be dependent on batted balls finding gloves, and yesterday they didn’t. Any innings Anderson gives the Dodgers moving forward is playing with house money, and let’s all just keep in mind that he was signed to be the fifth starter. His numbers are sort of underwhelming, but he’s kept the Dodgers alive in pretty much every game he’s started and that’s what a fifth starter is supposed to do.

Sep 16, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Moving on to tonight’s game, Wood looks to build on his best start as a Dodger by a longshot. He allowed a single in the second inning against the Rockies, which was the only baserunner they could muster off Wood in his eight innings of work. The outing before that did not go so well, as Wood allowed eight runs (six earned) and got five outs in his start in Arizona. IMO, if the Dodgers can hold the Diamondbacks under 10 runs in the first two innings tonight, they should have a better shot at winning this game.

Robbie Ray was the starter in that bad Alex Wood game, and Ray fared quite a bit better. He threw 95 pitches in five innings, but only allowed two hits and walked three while keeping the Dodgers off the board. Ray is 4-12 this season, but has a respectable 3.72 ERA (3.64 FIP) in a satisfying 111.1 innings this season.

Ray is a lefty, so we get the Justin RuggianoChris HeiseyScott Van Slyke all righty outfield. It looks a lot better when Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez are in the lineup. Thankfully, it looks like Kiké will begin rehabbing soon and could join the Dodgers in San Francisco, but Puig’s hamstring is still a question mark and could keep him sidelined longer.

Alex Guerrero gets the start at third after Chase Utley started there yesterday. Please get better, Justin Turner.

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