Dodgers Nationals Game Two Preview

The Dodgers look for a five game winning streak and their seventh win in their last eight games.

Pretty much everything went right for the Dodgers last night. The epic Clayton Kershaw/Stephen Strasburg matchup fell apart, as Strasburg was scratched before first pitch with back issues. The Dodgers didn’t exactly light up emergency starter Yusimero Petit and they let him go six innings, so they missed out on an opportunity to work the bullpen and help their chances in the final two games of the series.

The Dodgers can guarantee a series win with a victory today with Scott Kazmir on the hill. Kazmir has allowed three runs in each of his three starts in June and hasn’t pitched more than five innings in that time. He’s been a major disappointment, which hurts a bit more considering that likely means he’ll be around for two more years instead of opting out. He’s shown flashes of being a good number two starter and his strikeouts are up, but more often than not he’s been inefficient and ineffective.

Tanner Roark gets the ball for the Nats. After being a spot starter/long reliever last season, Roark seems to be safely in the rotation. In 14 starts this season, Roark has a 3.14 ERA/3.46 FIP and has gone at least five innings in all but two starts this season. Roark has only struck out more than seven batters this season once (15 strikeouts against PHI in April).

Before posting the lineup, the Dodgers announced they activated Yasiel Puig from the DL and sent Carlos Frias down to make room. Frias was in consideration for the starting spot on Friday, but with an off day Thursday, the Dodgers can just use the day off as their fifth starter spot and have everyone go on regular rest. The Dodgers had nine pitchers in the bullpen (including Frias), so now they go back to a more traditional 13 hitters and 12 pitchers.

Puig is back in the lineup for the first time since May 30th, although he pinch hit on June 1st and 2nd. Even if his bat doesn’t get going, his defense and presence should be a nice boost.

Next: Dodgers Trade Zach Lee

Eventually, we’ll probably get a Puig/Joc Pederson/Trayce Thompson lineup, but Howie Kendrick gets the start in left today. Thompson has been struggling of late and had started 20 straight games, so maybe a day off was due.

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