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Dodgers, Greinke Look To Keep Good Times Rolling (Watch Out National League)
By Scott Andes
Dodgers Lineup vs. Colorado
M.Ellis 4Puig 9Gonzalez 3Ramirez 6Ethier 7Kemp 8A.J. Ellis 2Uribe 5Greinke 1Zack Greinke-5-2 vs. Tyler Chatwood-4-1
Dodger winning streaks can cause severe bouts of smiling, giggling, happiness, and laughter. I’ve got a severe case of the happiness today. These last couple of weeks have been a joy. We were all left on cloud nine after the Dodger’s 8-0 drubbing of the Colorado Rockies, and country bumpkin soggy bottom boy Roy Oswalt last night in the first game of this three game series.
According to Eric Stephen, Clayton Kershaw’s four-hit complete game shut-out last night was only the sixth no walk complete game shutout in Coors Field history. It was also only the third Dodger CG shutout in history. (The other two were Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter in 96, and a Dave Mlicki shutout in 98) Simply beautiful. Lost during all the Puigmania was how dominant Kershaw was. Kershaw’s ERA is now 1.93, and his record is now 7-5. He also stopped Michael Cuddyer’s annoying little 27 game hitting streak. So let’s not forget to give Kershaw some love too.
Greinke looks extra bird-like in this photo-Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jon Weisman called the recent Dodger hot streak pure imagination. Weisman advised us that if we wanted to view paradise, all we needed to do is simply look around to view it. Well Jon is correct. So let’s view it. Let’s look around shall we?
The Dodgers have won three in a row, and nine of their last ten games. Over the last eleven days, the Dodgers have gained seven games in the standings. They have gone from nine and a half games back to only two and a half games back, in a flatfooted tie with San Diego for third place, and only one game behind Colorado for second place. I had mistakenly said in last night’s recap that the Dodgers were in sole possession of third place, when they are actually tied. I had a case of the excitements last night. I’m sure you can all understand.
Anyways, getting back to viewing paradise, With the Dodgers playing so fantastic of late, they could be in first place by the all-star break. With Arizona sinking like a stone, and the rest of the division floundering, the Dodgers have a golden opportunity to take this thing and never look back. The division is ripe for the taking. The Dodgers need to pluck the hanging fruit of first place and devour its juicy vitamin rich nucleus. Yum, tastes good doesn’t it?
PuigMania-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In fact according to Eric Stephen, while the Dodgers have been busy going 9-1 over the last ten days, the rest of the divisions have posted a joyfully terrible 7-29 record. Looking around at all the other division opponent’s miseries makes me giddy like a teenage girl on prom night.
Arizona lost again last night 9-1 to the Mets, and have now lost five in a row, and eight of their last ten games. San Diego had lost three out of four to the Marlins, and were defeated by Boston. They’ve also lost eight of their last ten games. Even more spectacular, the Giants have collapsed into last place. I can hardly type this without snickering. But the Giants were no-hit last night by Homer Bailey and the Reds. The loss dropped the Giants five games below .500 and three games behind. The Giants have also lost eight of their last ten. That’s three of the four opposing teams have lost eight of ten. I feel warmth in my heart. Those club’s failures bring me joy.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood (32) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field.-Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight the Dodgers will turn to Zack Greinke to keep the good times rolling. Greinke wasn’t overpowering in his last start. He ran into some troubles, and despite allowing four earned runs, he was still able to beat Philadelphia. Greinke has made six starts against Colorado and is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA. Although he has 42 whiffs against only seven walks. At Coors Field he has no record in three games and a 2.84 ERA. Greinke has only allowed four earned runs ever at Colorado. Greinke is 5-2 this season, with a 3.94 ERA, and 68 whiffs against 17 walks. Looking for his sixth win, Greinke has held the Rockies to a .240 batting average against, and a .646 OPS. Check out the rest of the numbers below.
PA
AB
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
Michael Cuddyer
37
35
9
1
0
1
6
1
8
.257
.297
.371
.669
Dexter Fowler15
14
2
0
0
0
2
0
7
.143
.143
.143
.286
Todd Helton13
12
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
.083
.154
.083
.237
Carlos Gonzalez12
12
5
1
1
1
3
0
1
.417
.417
.917
1.333
Yorvit Torrealba9
8
2
1
0
0
0
1
3
.250
.333
.375
.708
Jhoulys Chacin4
3
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
.333
.333
.333
.667
Nolan Arenado3
3
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
.667
.667
1.000
1.667
Tyler Colvin3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
.000
.000
.000
.000
Jonathan Herrera3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
.000
.000
.000
.000
DJ LeMahieu3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
.000
.000
.000
.000
Jordan Pacheco3
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
.500
.667
.500
1.167
Wilin Rosario2
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
.500
.500
1.000
1.500
Total
107
100
24
5
1
2
14
4
30
.240
.276
.370
.646
Colorado will counter with right hander Tyler Chatwood. The 23 year old had been enjoying a solid season. He is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA, but only 37 whiffs and 18 walks. What jumps at you the most when looking at Chatwood, is that in nine starts and 50 innings, he has not allowed a single home run this season. It’s true, he allowed nine last year in 64 innings. Can he keep Puig, Hanley, and Gonzo in the park tonight? I sure hope not. Chatwood has faced the Dodgers once this season, back on April 29, blanking them over six frames and winning 12-2. Against the Dodgers lifetime, he is 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA in five games. Chatwood is also better on the road then at home. His ERA is 4.89 at Coors Field, and 3.85 on the road. The Dodgers are hitting .327 against him. Check out how they’ve done against Chatwood in years past. Watch Out for Hanley, he has a 13 game hitting streak.
PA
AB
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
Andre Ethier14
12
6
2
0
0
1
0
1
.500
.500
.667
A.J. Ellis13
9
1
0
0
0
3
2
2
.111
.250
.111
Matt Kemp11
8
3
0
0
1
2
1
2
.375
.455
.750
Adrian Gonzalez10
8
3
0
0
0
0
2
2
.375
.500
.375
Mark Ellis7
7
2
1
0
0
3
0
1
.286
.286
.429
Hanley Ramirez4
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
.500
.500
.500
Chris Capuano2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
.000
.000
.000
Nick Punto2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
.000
.500
.000
Skip Schumaker2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
.500
.500
.500
Jerry Hairston1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
.000
.000
.000
Juan Uribe1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
Total
67
55
18
3
0
1
9
6
11
.327
.394
.436
There’s a couple of other minor news going on, but they’re all secondary to the Dodgers winning, and all of the rest of the division losing. Luis Cruz has decided to opt for free agency instead of accepting a minor league assignment with the Dodgers. Somewhat sad, but it’s best to move on. Then I heard he may be signing, or have already signed with the Yankees. Honestly I don’t care. I wish Cochito the best however. There are more Ricky Nolasco rumblings, but nothing concrete as of yet. Oh and one more thing, Jonathan Papelbon is a complete tool.
First pitch tonight will be at 5:10 PM, and televised on KCAL 9. The Dodgers are 39-43 and will be going for their 40 win of the season. Don’t forget to jump back over here after the game to check out our recap. If the Dodgers win again tonight, I may just have to bust out a Carlton Banks on you all. Seriously, I’ll do it.
I will do this if Dodgers win
Go Blue!