Dodgers DBacks Game 3 Preview

This whole losing streak has been fun and all, but maybe the Dodgers should try to win tonight?

Last night’s game was frustrating, as Alex Wood had another very good outing. He allowed two runs in six 1/3 innings, but the Dodgers offense made the two run deficit insurmountable. The bullpen came in and allowed six runs in the final two 2/3 innings, but Don Mattingly threw out another righty-heavy lineup and they looked completely lost at the plate against Robbie Ray for the second time in two weeks. The loss was magnified by a Giants win, so the magic number remained at seven and the division lead shrunk to six. Still nothing to be worried about, but if the magic number is more than four headed into next week’s series in San Francisco, I will start to worry a bit. The Dodgers still own the third largest division lead in baseball (only half a game less than the Mets lead on Washington), but it would be nice if the Giants started losing again. Or for the Dodgers to handle it themselves

Sep 2, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

To make matters worse, Zack Greinke was scheduled to start tonight but was scratched just before noon with a sore calf. Carlos Frias, who is very much not Greinke, will start for the Dodgers in what seems like more of a must win game than it is. Frias has started 12 games for the Dodgers this season and only failed to complete five innings once, so that’s decent. He hasn’t started for the major league club since June 30th and has only appeared in one game since then, three days ago against Pittsburgh. If he could give the Dodgers five strong tonight and keep them in the game, I’ll be content.

He’s started three times against Arizona this year, and the Dodgers won each of those games. He’s allowed four runs in 17 innings against the DBacks and only one of those runs came in his two starts at Dodger Stadium.

On the other side, Chase Anderson gets the ball for the Diamondbacks for the third time against the Dodgers this season. His first two starts ended up being no-decisions, and he’s allowed seven hits and three runs in 11 innings against LA this season. Anderson started off the season well and had an ERA of 2.84 on June 17, but it’s risen to 4.52 as he’s given up five or more runs in five of his last 12 starts.

Jimmy Rollins is back and starting for the first time since September 6. With Justin Turner still day-to-day, Corey Seager will play third. I wouldn’t really mind this left side of the infield if Turner isn’t 100 percent for the playoffs.

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