Dodgers Reds Game One Preview

The Dodgers look to get back on track in game one in Cincinnati.

Yesterday’s game started off well enough, but the lineup took their foot off the gas and let the Phillies take the finale. The Giants won yesterday, so the Dodgers need to win to guarantee they remain in first place.

Game one marks the return of Bud Norris. He was originally slated to start yesterday, but was pushed back a day with no reason given. Norris threw two pitches in his July 31st start against Arizona before being pulled with back tightness. He threw 5.2 innings in a rehab start at single-A and is apparently good to go.

This will be Norris’ seventh start as a Dodger (along with one relief appearance). If you exclude the injury start and his relief appearance, he’s thrown at least five innings in each start and has gone six or more twice. He had one disastrous start against the Nationals, but other than that he’s been pretty solid. It’s tough to expect too much from him, but as an eighth option, the Dodgers could do a lot worse.

Norris faced the Reds in June as a Brave and allowed three runs in five innings. He struck out seven which was his season-high at the time. Since then he’s struck out eight in a game three times.

Tim Adleman gets the ball for the Reds in his fifth career start. Adleman hasn’t started for the Reds since May. He allowed eight runs in 19 innings in his first taste of the majors. In May, Adleman went five or more innings in three of his four starts. He made 10 starts for the Louisville Bats and posted a 2.38 ERA in 56.2 innings. Obviously small sample size, but Brooks Baseball shows that he relies on his four seam fastball and sinker and mixes in a curve and a change up.

Lineup

The fourth straight night for this 1-8. They’re scheduled to face a lefty tomorrow and have two day games on Sunday and Monday, so there’s a good chance for some lineup changes there.

Clayton Kershaw played catch today and is with the team. He’ll throw a bullpen tomorrow, so while he might not be back in the immediate future, it’s looking more and more like he’ll pitch again this season.

Adam Liberatore makes his return to the bullpen, giving the Dodgers a third lefty. Fien and Stripling will probably be back when rosters expand, if not sooner.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA