Ace up Their Sleeve: Dodgers Look to Thwart Series Sweep by Brewers

After scoring 14 runs versus the Angels in the four-game Freeway Series, the Dodgers have only been able to muster 4 runs in the two losses versus the Brewers in Milwaukee. Saturday’s 4-1 loss felt like the Dodger offense was asleep at the wheel, and other than a solo homerun by Adrian Gonzalez, they couldn’t gain any traction against a sharp Mike Fiers. Perhaps losing Hanley Ramirez to an oblique injury after the first inning of the series opener was deflating. Or it might have been the Justin Turner implosion in Game 1 which steered the course of this series toward the trash heap.

Clayton Kershaw (13-2)  vs. Jimmy Nelson (2-2, 4.20)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Crawford LF

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp RF

Ethier CF

Uribe 3B

Ellis C

Rojas SS

Kershaw P

Without HanRam in the lineup, the Dodgers will have to use the defensively sharp yet light-hitting Miguel Rojas at shortstop in the interim. Help may be on the way should Hanley be disabled list bound, but losing his bat from the lineup is always a blow to the already inconsistent Dodger offense. The bright side to the two losses in a row at the hands of the first-place Brewers is that the Dodgers have not really lost any ground in their own respective division and still remain 3 1/2 games ahead of the Giants who are having their own problems.

I’d just like to see that spark from the Dodgers that we enjoyed during the Angels series. Deflating four-hit losses aren’t fun. The Dodgers will have to trudge on without Hanley if they have to. They have done so before.

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The Dodgers will be looking to stave off the series sweep at the hands of the Brewers on Sunday morning. They’ll have their best chance to do so with Clayton Kershaw on the mound. Kershaw has only lost two games this season, and I’m not entirely sure how that happened. He’s been virtually unhittable. He hasn’t lost a game since May 28th. He’s pitched three complete games in his last five games. He hasn’t walked more than 2 batters since he walked 3 back on May 23rd against the Phillies. Kersh is on his way to claiming his third Cy Young Award, and it’s not even close.

Last time out against the Angels, Kershaw allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks in the no-decision. He wasn’t at his sharpest, but the Dodgers went on to win the game anyways. Even when Kershaw isn’t at his best, he’s still great. In his career, Kershaw is 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA against the Brewers in 8 starts. He’s undefeated at Miller Park with a 3-0 record and a 0.78 ERA in 3 starts.

I’m starting to feel better.

Jimmy Nelson will be making his seventh career start and his first career start against the Dodgers on Sunday. The 25-year old

Kevin Correia will take Paul Maholm’s place in the Dodger bullpen. Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

right-hander won his last start against the Giants. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings.

Prediction: Juan Uribe dazzles with the glove and the bat in series finale.

Trade News: DODGERS ACQUIRE PITCHER KEVIN CORREIA FROM MINNESOTA

Veteran right-hander obtained in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

“Kevin gives us an additional option as a starter or long reliever,” said Colletti. “He also supplies us with more veteran pitching depth for the stretch drive.”

In 2014, Correia has gone 5-13 with a 4.94 ERA in 23 starts for Minnesota.

-TBS will broadcast Sunday’s game, so be sure to check your cable listings if you do not get SportsNetLA.

Go Blue!