Dodgers Angels Game Four Preview

The Dodgers close out their season series against the Angels and play their last game in an American League ballpark until September 12th.

Last night’s Dodger game was just bad. Bad luck and untimely hitting led to an easy 8-1 victory for the Angels and brought the Dodgers back down to a single game over .500.

The Dodgers look for a Freeway Series split in the finale in Anaheim and send Ross Stripling to the hill. Stripling is coming off an extra days rest as Mike Bolsinger was recalled and made his first start of the season.

Stripling’s last outing wasn’t so great, as he allowed four runs in five innings to the Cardinals. The Dodgers’ offense came alive and scored enough for Stripling to receive his first major league win, but it was arguably Stripling’s third-worst outing (kill the win). This also marks Stripling’s second outing in an American League ballpark, and he dominated the Blue Jays, as he allowed one hit and one run over six innings.

Efficiency has been Stripling’s Achille’s Heel, as he’s been pulled from games just as often for high pitch counts as he has for bad pitching. With Bolsinger failing to get past the fifth yesterday, the Dodgers could use an efficient night out of Stripling.

Jhoulys Chacin makes his second start for the Angels after being traded last week from Atlanta. Dodger fans should remember him from his time in Colorado, as he spent the first six years of his career there. His first outing as an Angel went better than they could have expected, as he tossed seven innings of two-run ball in Seattle.

Adrian Gonzalez sits for the third straight game with a back injury as Howie Kendrick mans first base. Trayce Thompson gets his fourth straight spot, despite manager Dave Roberts still not willing to call him the everyday starter. It’s a bit easier in this series as the Dodgers get a DH, and for the second straight game Carl Crawford mans that decision. Before the comments swamp with “why is he even in the lineup” questions, Crawford was one of two Dodgers with two hits yesterday and he has seven hits in his last eight starts. He’s obviously painfully overpaid and really bad on defense, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fanbase hate a player enough to fully ignore when he actually plays well, as he did yesterday. He definitely shouldn’t start over Thompson anymore, but there’s still some hits in that bat.

The Dodgers’ bullpen gets a fresh arm as Chin-hui Tsao was called up from OKC to take Bolsinger’s spot. The Dodgers needed a bullpen arm more than they need a sixth starter right now, but expect a revolving door of call-ups and demotions coming up.

Next: Dodger First Quarter Grades

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA and FS West (Angels broadcast, no blackouts).