Dodgers Blue Jays Game Three Preview

Coming off a big win, the Dodgers look to take the series in Toronto and head home after a winning roadtrip.

Last year the Dodgers were nails at Chavez Ravine and struggled on the road. So naturally this year, they’ve been awful at home and much better on the road.

The Dodgers are 9-7 on the road and are outscoring opponents by 14, but at home they’re 5-8 and are being outscored by six runs. Surely this will even out throughout the season, but despite all their struggles recently they’re a win away from another winning roadtrip. Standing in their way are the Toronto Blue Jays and Marco Estrada.

Estrada quietly finished 10th in Cy Young voting last season after posting a 3.13 ERA in 181 innings. He had a BABIP of .217 against him, so there definitely might have been a bit of luck as he led the AL in hits/9. None of his other numbers were all that great and his FIP was more than a run higher than his ERA. So far this season, Estrada has pitched a lot better and has a semi-normal BABIP (.265).

In five starts, Estrada has allowed nine runs and struck out 38 batters against 12 walks. He’s allowed one or zero runs in three of his five outings and has only given up two homers all season.

Ross Stripling gets the ball for the Dodgers and is coming off his worst outing of the season against San Diego last Saturday. After pitching more than six innings in his first two starts, Stripling has only gotten into the sixth once in his last three starts. He’s doing a solid job keeping the Dodgers in games, but his short outings have forced more bullpen time than anyone really wants to see. The Dodgers have won two of his five starts, but he’s still seeking his first major league victory.

Stripling facing this Blue Jays lineup isn’t exactly ideal, but he’s done a good job fooling hitters his first time through the lineup. The second time through hitters are slashing .293/.341/.512, and in very limited times facing a hitter the third time, Stripling has allowed a .364/.481/.545 slash. Hitters are making adjustments to Stripling, so if he wants to be a fixture in the rotation he’ll eventually have to adjust back. Mike Bolsinger made a rehab start for OKC yesterday and Hyun-jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy will reportedly start minor league games in the near future, so while Stripling has been solid, he’s probably first on the chopping block when one of the three returns.

Adrian Gonzales gets to DH on his 34th birthday. Yasiel Puig is the notable omission from the lineup, as the struggling right fielder gets a day off to clear his head according to Bill Plunkett. Yasmani Grandal catches for the third consecutive game, and should probably catch every game that isn’t started by Clayton Kershaw.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:07 AM PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.