Dodgers Go For Series Win and Franchise Record in the Windy City

Chris Capuano (3-6, 4.54) vs. Jeff Samardzija (6-9, 3.75)

Lineup:

Crawford LF
Puig RF
Ramirez SS
Ethier CF
Hairston 3B
Schumaker 2B
Van Slyke 1B
Federowicz C
Capuano P

The Dodgers are on a record streak, one in which I have never seen before. They have won 12 consecutive road games which tied the franchise record dating back to 1924. Unfortunately I never got to see the 1924 Dodgers play, but if they were as good as this current team then they must have been fun to watch. The 1924 Brooklyn Robins finished with a 92-62 record and second in the National League to the New York Giants. The Robins had such greats like Zack Wheat who hit .375 with 14 homeruns and Jack Fournier who had 27 homeruns that year. Dazzy Vance won 28 games and finished with a Kershaw-like 2.16 ERA. Can the Dodgers win 92 games this year? The Washington Senators went on to beat the New York Giants in seven games in the 1924 World Series.

Chris Capuano may be pitching to keep his starting spot. Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers will be shuffling the rotation a bit. They will start Stephen Fife on Sunday and push back Zack Greinke until Monday. This gives the entire rotation some extra rest, and it allows for the Dodgers best pitchers to play in the important upcoming St. Louis series. It is unclear whether they will keep Fife in the rotation or option him back to AAA-Albuquerque after this start. I’m sure a lot of that decision will come down to Capuano’s start in game three on Saturday.

Last time out Capuano was pitching like the Capuano of the first half of 2012. He pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Reds, and the crafty lefty only allowed 3 hits while striking out 4 and walking none in the no decision. This will be Cappy’s 16th start this season. Some have been solid, while other starts have been tough to watch. Capuano is 9-3 with a 3.35 ERA against the Chicago Cubs in his career. Capuano, who turns 35 in a couple of weeks, is 5-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 9 games and 7 starts at Wrigley Field. The southpaw has allowed 8 homeruns at Wrigley in the past.

The Cubs will try to squeeze out some kind of dignity with a hopeful win in game three. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija will take the mound for the Cubbies. Last time out against Milwaukee he pitched well, and he threw 7 scoreless innings while only allowing 3 runs, striking out 7, and walking 2 in the no decision. It was a very similar start to Capuano’s last start actually. Samardzija is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA against the Dodgers in 8 2/3 innings against them. A.J. Ellis has hit a homerun against him.

Yasiel Puig has been adjusting, and on Friday he had two hits and a walk. He also made a fine defensive play with a diving

Chris Capuano may be pitching to keep his starting spot. Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

catch. The Cubs have their own version of Puig with Junior Lake. Lake collected four hits against the Dodgers on Friday. Lake had two homeruns in game one as well. The two young outfielders are exciting to watch.

The Dodgers were still able to win without Hanley Ramirez in the lineup on Friday. Hanley enjoyed a scheduled day off. Mattingly will need his star shortstop to be sharp and ready for the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays series which are approaching.

The Dodgers will go for their 60th win and a franchise record of 13 consecutive road wins. Tune into FOX today at 1:05 p.m.

Let’s turn that ivy BLUE!