Dodgers Brewers Game Three Preview

After being shutout last night, the Dodgers are sending Kenta Maeda to the mound as they look to wake up their bats and bounceback with a win.

The Dodgers called up Brock Stewart last night and gave him the ball. Stewart had a rough second inning where he allowed five runs, but other than that he pitched a great game. Sadly however, the Dodgers only managed to get two hits. The Brewers clearly had them shutdown. This morning they are looking to comeback and get the offense going again.

Before we get into today’s preview, news on Clayton Kershaw came out this morning. He is reportedly heading to the 15 day DL after receiving an epidural for lower back pain. When it was announced that Kershaw was flying back to LA this series, you had to have known that he was hurting and pretty bad, but every Dodger fan’s nightmare is “Kershaw heading to the DL”. If there is one “bright side” to all of this, it is that Kershaw was scheduled for just two starts before the All-Star break coming up. He will miss both of those starts, but the All-Star break will allow him more time to rest while they are off. Either way, it is a bummer for the team and fans, but knowing Kershaw’s insane work ethic, he will be back soon.

Alright, back to this morning’s preview. Kenta Maeda will be getting the ball for the boys in blue today. He is coming into this morning’s game with a record of 6-5 and an ERA of 2.91. In 86.1 innings of work, Maeda has struck out 83 and walked 26. He impressed right off the bat, then struggled through a few starts, but picked it back up again. With Kershaw heading to the DL it only puts more pressure on the Dodgers starting rotation to try and step up in his absence.

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The Brewers are sending their 23 year old right handed pitcher to the mound, Zach Davies. Davies currently had a record of 5-3 and an ERA of 3.74. He faced the Dodgers on June 17 at Dodger Stadium when the Brewers were in town. In that game he pitched seven innings, allowed just five hits and on earned run. However, he got the loss that night because the Dodgers ended up winning by a score of 3-2. In his last start on June 24 he only went five innings and gave up three runs. The Dodgers struggled against him a little at home, so hopefully they have him figured out now and can get him to exit the game early.

Adrian Gonzalez is back at first this morning. He was in the starting lineup yesterday, but ejected by the third base umpire for literally doing nothing. I am still super confused about the whole situation. Howie Kendrick is back in left field where he seems to be making a new home. Yasiel Puig is in right which is a great sign. Last night he was pulled from the game for fear of a possible injury. However, he seems to be all fine and ready to play today! Trayce Thompson is back in center as Joc Pederson is still mending a sore right shoulder. Yasmani Grandal will be behind the plate and catching Maeda this morning.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM and will be shown on Sports Net LA.