Dodgers Brewers Game One Preview

After a tough four game series against the Pirates, the Dodgers are looking to gain some ground in the NL West and get a few W’s against the Brewers.

Coming into the series with the Pirates the Dodgers were looking to add to their six game winning streak. Unfortunately, the Pirates offense had the Dodgers crawling and scratching just to catch up in each game of the four game series. From winning six straight, to dropping three consecutive, the Dodgers finally won the last game of the series which was much needed. Pitching struggled, Clayton Kershaw was off in his start and the bats could not seem to come up with clutch hits. Yesterday morning they pulled ahead a secured a 5-4 victory. After yesterday’s W and the Giants loss, the Dodgers are in second place of the NL West by 7 games.

Tonight the Dodgers will be handing the ball to rookie sensation, Julio Urias. The rookie and top prospect pitcher is still looking for his first major league win. Urias’ last few starts have been much better than his first few with the big league club. He now has recorded 21 strike outs in just 27 innings of work. He has kept the team in the game in his last few starts and ironically, most of his starts have ended in walk off wins. Urias currently has a record of 0-2 and a season ERA of 4.33 with 35 K’s and 9 walks. However, in his last four outings, he has an ERA of 2.33. So he is clearly doing better and slowly adjusting to what it is like to pitch in the majors. With all of that being said, Dave Roberts and the front office have made it very clear that Urias is on a short leash. Since he is still a teenager, the Dodgers want to be sure not to over use his arm, instead they have set strict limits for Urias to follow. All last season he threw 80 innings, as we approach the half way point of the season, Urias has already thrown 68 this season.

The Brewers will be sending Chase Anderson to the mound. Anderson is no stranger to the Dodgers. He will be making his eighth career start against them because he has spent almost all of his professional career with the Diamondbacks before joining the Brewers this season. In his seven previous starts against the Dodgers, Anderson has a record of 1-1 and a 5.05 ERA. On the season, Anderson has a record of 4-7 and an ERA of 5.13 with 60 K’s and 21 walks. He seems to have struggled with his control on and off all season when you look at his strike out to walk ratio.

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The Dodgers and Brewers met a little over a week ago and the Dodgers had success in the series. They took three of the four games at Dodger Stadium. As they head to Milwaukee, the boys in blue will be looking for the same type of success on the road.

Dave Roberts lineup for this evening was just announced. Howie Kendrick is back in left field again. The second baseman is starting to make left field his new home and doing a great job out there. Adrian Gonzalez is back in the starting lineup and at first after having a few days off for rest. Trayce Thompson is getting the start in right which will give Yasiel Puig the night off. Yasmani Grandal is catching the teenage rookie and Chris Taylor is in the lineup at third base tonight. Taylor is from the Mariners and was signed by the Dodgers about a week ago. In his first game and plate appearance as a Dodger he doubled against the Pirates. With Taylor in the lineup that means Justin Turner will have the night off. While a few regulars have nights off tonight, it looks like a good line for the club.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM and will be shown on Sports Net LA.