Dodgers Offense Looks to Break Out Against Rookie Bolsinger

Dan Haren (2-0, 2.04) vs. Mike Bolsinger (0-0, 6.00)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Crawford LF

Hanley SS

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp CF

Ethier RF

Uribe 3B

Butera C

Haren P

After another extra inning disappointment on Friday night, the Dodgers will try to even up the series with the Snakes with Dan Haren on the mound. The D-backs will have rookie pitcher Mike Bolsinger on the mound making his first Major League start  after being called up from AAA last week. The Dodgers offense couldn’t get off the ground last night against Wade Miley and company, and the Dodgers went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The team left 9 men on base in the 4-2 loss. Zack Greinke pitched well enough to win, but Chris Withrow and Chris Perez couldn’t hold the tie and allowed 3 runs combined in relief.

Dan Haren beat the D-backs last time out. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Van Slyke and Juan Uribe both blasted big homeruns, but with no men on bases each was only good for a lone run. Miguel Montero showed up Dodgers catcher Tim Federowicz, who for the second time this season was called for catcher’s interference during the game. FedEx also went 0-for-5 at the plate while Miguel Montero not only made a great defensive play in the bottom of the eighth on a Hanley Ramirez grounder, but his homerun also put the D-backs on the board against Greinke in the sixth.

The Dodgers have twice as many wins on the season than Arizona, but last night’s debacle really showcased some of the Dodgers weaknesses including lackluster offense, problematic defense, bullpen woes, and lack of fundamentals on the field. The Dodgers are definitely feeling the loss of their ace pitcher and starting catcher, but they will need to trudge on and figure out how to win without them.

The Dodgers’ offense will have the opportunity to break out against rookie pitcher Mike Bolsinger who will be making his first big league start on Saturday. The right-hander made his debut on Monday in a relief appearance where he allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings of work. Last season in Reno, the 26-year old made 17 starts and finished the season with a 7-7 record and 4.72 ERA. He struck out 97 batters over 101 innings. Bolsinger has usurped Trevor Cahill in the rotation. Cahill made just his second relief appearance of his career last night, and he picked up the save.

Dan Haren, the gristled veteran, will be countering the rook in his second straight start against the Snakes. Haren has pitched well for the

Apr 14, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Bolsinger (49) throws during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers so far, and he has only walked 2 batters over 3 starts while striking out 15. The Dodgers won behind Haren in his last start against Arizona, but it wasn’t easy for Haren who allowed 3 runs on 9 hits over 5 2/3 innings. Overall, Haren is 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA against the D-backs in 3 starts (4 total games). Aaron Hill has 8 hits including 2 doubles, 2 triples, a homerun and 6 RBIs against Haren. Chris Owings has also hit him well with 4 hits in 6 at-bats.

Adrian Gonzalez is bringing a 13-game hitting streak into tonight’s game, and the Dodgers have a total of 144 hits which ranks them 10th among all MLB teams. The Dodgers only have a .242 team batting average which is 21st in the MLB and tied with San Francisco. The Dodgers lead all the Majors with 20 stolen bases thanks to the hot hitting Dee Gordon who was out of the lineup on Friday because there was a lefty on the mound. The Dodgers are 6th in team ERA at 2.95 and are second behind Washington with 160 strikeouts. The Dodgers are third in the Majors with 17 errors.

Prediction: Dee Gordon reeks havoc on the base path against rookie Mike Bolsinger.

The game will air at 5:10 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA, FS1 and FS-A.

Go Blue!