Dodgers Giants Game Three Preview

The Dodgers look to win the series in the finale with the Giants.

Last night’s game was a perfect representation of “bad Dodgers”. The pitching was mostly fine, but the offense couldn’t do anything with men on base and the Giants completed the shutout they lost the night before.

That wasn’t fun, but the Dodgers are still firmly in the drivers’ seat for the NL West crown. No matter what happens tonight, the Dodgers will be four games up at worst and still control their own destiny.

Dodgers Starter

Tonight features another rematch. The Giants took the first rematch as Johnny Cueto outdueled Rich Hill. Tonight’s Dodger starter, Kenta Maeda, drew the short end of a near-one-hitter the last time he faced the Giants.

Maeda’s struggled with efficiency lately, as he needed 94 pitches to complete five innings in his last start. He held the Diamondbacks to three hits and one run, but he walked three and leaned on the Dodger bullpen to get him the win.

Maeda has given the Dodgers at least five innings of work in each of his last 10 starts. This will be his 30th start of the season, giving him another contract bonus. Safe to say that incentive-heavy contract has worked out well for both parties.

Giants Starter

Matt Moore came an out away from throwing a no-hitter the last time he faced the Dodgers. Corey Seager singled with two outs in the ninth to give the Dodgers a moral victory, but not so much a real victory.

Moore has dominated the Dodgers in both of his starts against them. The first came in his last start as a Ray, and he held them to four hits and one unearned run in 6.2 innings. He came an out away from no-hitting them about a month ago, but was pulled after allowing his first hit with two outs in the ninth.

Moore’s allowed two runs in each of his last two outings. He had a nightmarish start at Coors three starts ago, but since then he’s settled in and been nothing but solid.

In case you couldn’t guess by now, Moore is a lefty.

Dodgers Lineup

That’s a lefty lineup if I’ve ever seen one.

Eye’s will be on Yasiel Puig, who starts in right and bats fifth. Carlos Ruiz will catch in place of Yasmani Grandal, who’s probably but hopefully not hurting. Enrique Hernandez starts in center and Charlie Culberson at second.

I’d probably like to see Austin Barnes at second instead of Culberson, but keeping catchers available is probably a good idea.

Yesterday, it was announced that Brett Anderson will start Thursday. Today, the Dodgers announced Scott Kazmir will get the ball Friday, with Clayton Kershaw throwing Saturday. Probably just due diligence, and the Dodgers are still searching for a fourth starter for the postseason. It’s tough to imagine either of them will beat out Ross Stripling, Jose De Leon or even Brock Stewart, but it doesn’t hurt to give them a shot. It looks like Stripling’s postseason role will be in long relief, but I’d take him starting over Kazmir or Anderson.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA and ESPN (no blackouts). ESPN will also carry Sportsnet’s broadcast during the fourth inning