FanSided

Dodgers Conclude Home stand With Series Versus Slithery Snakes

By Scott Andes |

Dodgers Lineup vs. Arizona

Punto 6 M.Ellis 4 Gonzalez 3 Puig 9 Hairston 7 Ethier 8 Uribe 5 Federowicz 2 Kershaw 1

Wade Miley-4-5 vs. Clayton Kershaw-5-4

*The Dodgers optioned Magill back to Albuquerque, and called back up Justin Sellers.*

The Dodgers have resembled the walking wounded. During this season of suck, the massive amounts of injuries are just incredibly never ending. The Dodgers are currently awaiting word on the MRI results of Hanley Ramirez’s hamstring. In the meantime the first place Arizona Dbacks slither into town to play a three game series which will conclude this ten game home stand.

The Dodger’s series split with the Braves did them no good. They did not gain any ground and only ran in place. The club remains in last place with a 27-35 record and are stagnating with injuries and pathetic offense. Almost the entire starting lineup is injured. Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, A.J. Ellis, and Chris Capuano are all on the disabled list. Hanley Ramirez, and Andre Ethier are also ailing. The Dodgers are a collection of overpriced injury riddled bums. Of course I still love them regardless.

While the majority of the team continues to be ravaged with injuries, most of the lineup now consists of nothing but minor leaguers, and utility players. With the exception of Adrian Gonzalez, and our superstar rookie Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers have only beat Arizona once this season, and the last time they played them they were swept at home back on May 6-8. Tonight’s pitching match-up will feature another battle of left handers, as Wade Miley will counter Clayton Kershaw.

Can the Dodgers please score some runs for poor Kersh?-Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Miley had a strong 2012, winning 16 games and posting an ERA of 3.33. This season Miley has gotten off to a mediocre start. The 26 year old has a 4-5 record, with a 4.92 ERA in 2013. He’s whiffed 52 and walked 24, while posting a 1.416 WHIP. Miley beat the Dodgers back on May 8, when he pitched 7.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits and picked up the victory in a 3-1 win. Miley is 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. Lifetime at Dodger Stadium, Miley is undefeated in four games, with a 3-0 record, and 2.17 ERA. He has whiffed 19 and walked only four in those games. Miley has a 3.81 career ERA on the road. The Dodgers are hitting .275 (22 for 80) with four home runs against Miley. Mark Ellis has done a lot of damage off of Miley. The veteran second baseman is hitting .444 (8 for 18) with three home runs off of Miley. Luis Cruz is 4 for 10, and Scott Van Slyke has the other home run hit off of Miley.

The Dodgers will send their ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound in search of his sixth win. Kershaw hasn’t won since May 20. In large part because the Dodgers provide him with the lowest run support in the National League. Kershaw has pitched against Arizona this season twice and lost once and received a no-decision in the other game, but the Dodgers wound up losing both games. Although he pitched well enough to win, but again, the Dodgers gave him no run support whatsoever. In the April 12 game at Arizona, Kershaw allowed just three runs on six hits through 7.1 innings, and whiffed nine, but lost the game 3-0. Again the Dodgers scored no runs for him. In the second game on May 8, which was at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw just one earned run on five hits through seven frames, but wasn’t involved in the decision of a game the Dodgers lost 3-2. Kershaw lost his last start to San Diego after allowing two earned runs in six innings. He whiffed nine in that game, but the Dodgers only could muster up two runs. Kershaw is 5-4 with a 1.93 ERA, and 91 whiffs against only 26 walks.

Wade Miley-Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Kershaw is 7-6 with a 2.29 ERA versus Arizona in 16 games. In those 16 games he has 111 whiffs and only 35 walks. Arizona never hits Kershaw well, but then again nobody does. Kershaw has held the Snakes to a .198 (32 for 162) average with a .543 OPS against. Gerardo Parra has been the only threat, hitting .313 ( 5 for 16) off of Kershaw. Paul Goldschmidt has hit the only home run, and is batting just .118 (2 for 17) with seven whiffs versus Kershaw.

Speaking of Goldschmidt, the Dodgers will have to watch out for him. Not only is he having a great season, but he has been the thorn in the Dodger’s side all season long. Goldschmidt is batting .320 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI. Goldschmidt leads the league in RBI. The big first baseman is hitting .336 against the Dodgers in his career, with an OPS over 1.000. He has hit seven home runs and driven in 22 runs in games against the Dodgers. Goldschmidt is also .389 with six home runs at Dodger Stadium. This guy has been a notorious Dodger killer and the Dodgers have to somehow find a way to get him out, or stop pitching to him.

As soon as we hear anything on Hanley’s MRI we will let you know. Mattingly has said he is sick of playing a man short, so perhaps we could see a roster move today? Maybe. The Yasiel Puig watch is on again. The talented phenom is batting .464 (13 for 28) with four home runs and 10 RBI. We may see Puig moved down in the order, which is something I have been asking for since he was called up. Puig has been batting lead-off since he was called up last Monday. Oh and one more thing, the outfielder was named the NL player of the week. Congratulations Yasiel!

Tune into the game at 7:10 PM on Prime Ticket. Join the fun over here by checking out our recap immediately following the game. Go Blue.

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