Josh Beckett Still Looking For First Win Since 2012

Josh Beckett (0-1, 2.80) vs. Jacob Turner (0-0, 6.75)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Puig RF

Ramirez SS

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp CF

Crawford LF

Turner 3B

Butera C

Beckett P

The Dodgers squeaked by the Fish with a 6-5 win on Monday night thanks to ten walks allowed by Miami pitching and a huge three-run blast by Cuban phenom Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers’ bullpen once again made things too close for comfort during the late innings when struggling Brian Wilson allowed two runs in the top of the eighth making it a one-run contest. Kenley Jansen was able to shut down the Marlins in the ninth, and the Dodgers will now look for a series win on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

May 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) is met by shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) at the end of the game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Marlins were dealt a humongous blow on Monday when it was announced that their own Cuban phenom, 2013 NL Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez would be place on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. It is looking like the feisty yet talented Fernandez will be out for the season and need to undergo elbow surgery. As much as I want the Dodgers to beat the Marlins, the news about Fernandez really sucks. Of course Fernandez is a formidable foe, but I never like to see any player have to end their season with a serious injury.

The Marlins will have to go on without Fernandez, and young 22-year old Jacob Turner will be making his fourth start of the year and his first at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. The Dodgers have already faced Turner once this season, ten days ago in Miami. The Dodgers picked up the win after Turner only made it through 4 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits. Yasiel Puig, who has hit homeruns in each of his last two games, hit a long ball off Turner in that Miami match-up. Overall, Turner has a 9.00 ERA against the Dodgers in his 2 games against them. Juan Uribe, who was available to pinch-hit on Monday night, has the most hits off Turner with 4.

Josh Beckett knows a thing or two about season-ending surgery, and the veteran right-hander also knows about a successful comeback. Beckett has been better than I had ever expected him to be after returning from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Beckett, who still hasn’t picked up a much-deserved win this season (he hasn’t won in 14 starts), is using more breaking balls and it is working. A.J. Ellis, who is set to return to the team soon after completing his rehab assignment, suggested that Beckett go to his curveball more. In fact, Beckett has been going to his curve 29.1% of the time this season, the most in his career. The Dodgers have actually lost the last three games Beckett has started, even though it wasn’t really Beckett’s fault. Last time out against San Francisco, Beckett only allowed 1 run on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks over 6 2/3 innings. In his career, Beckett is 0-2 against Miami with a 5.27 ERA in 2 starts. Garrett Jones has hit the best off Beckett, and he has 5 hits including 3 doubles and a homerun in just 6 at-bats against Josh.

The Dodgers will not only need to watch out for the always dangerous Giancarlo Stanton who is riding a 14-game hitting streak, but now they

A.J. Ellis set to return soon. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

need to fend off local boy Christian Yelich who hit a solo homerun off Dan Haren in Game 1. Yelich grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA, a city which I lived in for 7 years. Like Puig, Yelich has homered in consecutive games going into Tuesday’s match.

Prediction: Yasiel Puig continues to baffle naysayers during his sophomore season, and the dynamo extends his hitting streak.

Check back here after the 7:10 p.m. PT game for all the highlights in our nightly recap.

Go Blue!