Dodgers DBacks Game 4 Preview

After a thrilling victory last night, the Dodgers wrap up the season series with Arizona in a rare mid-week day game. Here’s hoping Clayton Kershaw isn’t scratched before this start.

Aug 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Last night’s game was sort of surprising as Carlos Frias, who had been on the DL and pitched in relief as recently as Sunday, got the start after Zack Greinke was scratched with a sore calf. Frias pitched exceptionally, allowing a single hit. Unfortunately that hit was to Paul Goldschmidt, Dodger slayer, and that hit went over the wall to tie the game after a Chase Utley leadoff dinger. The game was pretty boring until the eighth inning, which is a good thing considering Frias only threw four innings and the combination of Ian Thomas, Pedro Baez, Luis Avilan and Chris Hatcher kept the DBacks off the board in time for the Dodgers offense to wake up in the 8th, courtesy of two bunts, a double and a Corey Seager homer. Jansen shut the door, and the Dodgers losing streak was a thing of the past.

On to today’s game, and Kershaw gets to make his case for the Cy Young after Greinke lost a chance to do so yesterday. Kershaw’s ERA is over 2.00 and it has been all season, but he has the lowest FIP in baseball (2.09) and leads the world with 272 strikeouts. Unfortunately, a measly five strikeout performance two starts ago probably derailed his chance at 300 Ks, but it is very much still a possibility if he gets three more regular season starts, including today.

Somehow, Kershaw has only managed to face the Diamondbacks once this season and he allowed five runs and 10 hits in six 1/3 innings back in April. This was back in the “is this the beginning of the end for Kershaw” time.

FINALLY! A Dodger pitcher Goldschmidt doesn’t destroy historically. In 35 career plate appearances against Kershaw, Goldy only has seven hits (of course four are extra base hits, two homers) and two walks to go along with 12 strikeouts. For a lot of hitters, that wouldn’t be too bad against Kershaw.

Diamondbacks ace Patrick Corbin gets the ball against Kershaw. In 14 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, Corbin has a 2.99 ERA (3.43 FIP) and has only walked 13 batters in 75 innings. He’s allowed four runs in 25 1/3 innings in September, and two of those came in a loss to these Dodgers a couple weeks ago.

Ignore that. Except for Justin Turner being back in the lineup. And Kershaw on the mound. That is all you need to notice. Please ignore the outfield of Justin Ruggiano Chris Heisey and Scott Schebler. The literal outfield of Justin Ruggiano Chris Heisey and Scott Schebler.

In all seriousness, Ruggiano might be the greatest leadoff hitter of all time. You sabernerds can argue “small sample size”, but an .857/.875/1.571 slashline as a leadoff hitter in the first at bat of the game speaks for itself.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.