Hyun-jin Ryu Faces Shin-Soo Choo in Game Three vs. Reds

Hyun-jin Ryu (8-3, 3.25) vs. Bronson Arroyo (9-7, 3.19)

Lineup: 

Schumaker LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Ethier CF
A Ellis C
Uribe 3B
M Ellis 2B
Ryu P

Radio Korea KMPC 1540AM will broadcast the entire four-game series between the Dodgers and Cincinnati. Hyun-jin Ryu is set to face fellow Korean Shin-Soo Choo for the first time. Psy, who has attended a Dodger game in the past and met Ryu, is reportedly returning to see Ryu pitch on Saturday. The Dodgers will also celebrate Korea with a Korea Day on Sunday vs. the Reds. Korean group Girls’ Generation will perform and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Canadian Hyun-jin Ryu fans. Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hyun-jin Ryu has quietly been putting up consistent numbers all year. He is reliable, Zen-like, and even a good hitter! The big southpaw actually has a .222 batting average with 8 hits including two doubles and a triple so far this year. Saturday versus the Reds will be Ryu’s 20th start. Last time out against Toronto, Ryu allowed 4 runs on 9 hits, but he was still able to come away with the win thanks to the Dodgers offense which bailed him out. This will be Ryu’s first start against Cincinnati. Ryu has been dominant at home, and he is 4-1 with a 1.90 ERA in 9 games started at Dodger Stadium.

The Reds have shown us that they have excellent pitching. The Dodgers offense has been quieted down by Mat Latos and Homer Bailey, and game three will have Bronson Arroyo take the mound. Last time out against San Francisco, Arroyo pitched a complete game shutout in San Francisco. He allowed 9 hits while striking out 6 and walking none in gem of a game. The righty is 5-4 with a 3.67 ERA against the Dodgers in his career. Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier have both hit him well in the past, each going deep against him and hitting over .300.

The Dodgers remain 1/2 game back of the D-backs who get to play the last place Padres. The Dodgers will need to win this tough series with the Reds in order to stay in first place. They are 7-1 since the All-Star Break and they are 16-5 so far for July. April and May? We forgot about those months already, right?

The base running and bench are still very problematic. Carlos Mormal also doesn’t exactly warm my heart. Yet the Dodgers

July 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT

excellent pitching, improved defense, and hot offense has propelled them into the top spot. Now they must continue to remain healthy and aggressive. Yasiel Puig needs to be calmer at the plate and work on plate discipline, but with a little polishing Puig is going to be fine.

The 6:10 p.m. game will air on Prime Ticket. Can the Dodgers maintain first place? I’m very fearful of Joey Votto, how about you?