Dodgers Diamondbacks Game Two Preview

The Dodgers look to take the series against Arizona with a win in game two.

Last night’s game felt like one of THOSE games. A game that the team loses 9/10 times. The bullpen has been so good this year and has saved the starting pitching and offense all season, so it was only right that when the bullpen had their worst game of the season, the bats woke up and powered the Dodgers to a 9-7 victory.

The bullpen part is concerning, mainly Joe Blanton and Louis Coleman. They’ve both been so great in their roles this season, but aren’t the most trustworthy relievers at the moment. Whether it’s overwork or just a normal slump, these two will be key if the Dodgers don’t add a reliever in a trade. Despite that, the bats woke up, Joc Pederson and Chase Utley hit key homers and Yasmani Grandal had a clutch single, and the Dodgers moved to one back in the division.

Scott Kazmir gets the start for the Dodgers and is coming off a weird start in St. Louis. The Dodgers gave Kazmir a six-run lead before he threw his first pitch and nine runs in the first two innings, and while Kazmir only gave up three runs in his outing, he was pulled after five innings with 96 pitches. He settled in after allowing a second inning home run, but it still wasn’t his finest outing.

Kazmir has made 20 starts and the Dodgers have played the Diamondbacks 10 times this season, but this will be his first start against them this year. Something about Kazmir facing Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt gives me a sick feeling in my stomach, but Kazmir has shown flashes of greatness this season.

The Diamondbacks send top prospect Braden Shipley to the mound against the Dodgers. Shipley will be making his second career start after allowing six runs in 5.1 innings in his debut against Milwaukee. The 24-year-old righty had a 3.70 ERA in 19 AAA starts this year, and the most troubling number seems to be his strikeout rate. He struck out over a batter/inning in his first two seasons in the minors, but his K/9 rate has fallen to 8.1, 6.8 and 5.8 over the last three years, bouncing back up to 6.8 this season. Shipley is rated their number one prospect and the 77th best prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline.

The usual lineup. Yasiel Puig pinch hit last night and played an inning in right. He’s expected to start tomorrow against LHP Patrick Corbin, according to beat writers.

Next: Bruce and Reddick Trade Rumors

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA. At time of publishing, the Giants and Nationals are tied in the sixth. A Giants loss and a Dodger win ties up the division race.