Dodgers Phillies Game Three Preview

The Dodgers picked up a big win last night against the Phillies and thanks to a Giants loss, they are coming into this morning’s game tied for first place in the NL West.

Last night’s game was pretty great. A decent start from Kenta Maeda, despite some efficiency struggles and hot bats powered the Dodgers to the top of the NL West with a W last night. The Dodgers have really stepped up despite not having Clayton Kershaw in their rotation. Kershaw has not pitched for the club since June 26th when the Dodgers were eight games out of first place. Not having Kershaw pitch for the boys in blue every fifth day has really lit a fire under them and helped get them to where they are now. #ZeroGamesBack. They have been chasing the Giants for what feels like, all season. Now they are just within reach of first place.

This afternoon the Dodgers will be sending Scott Kazmir to the mound. Kazmir currently has a record of 9-5 and an ERA of 4.51. The Dodgers are aiming to sweep with Phillies this afternoon with Kazmir’s help. If they can do so, it would be the teams fifth conseuctive win. Kazmir has pitched 121.2 innings of work this season and in those innings, he has struck out 126 batters and walked 43 of them. Kazmir has not faced the Phillies so far this year. His last game was on August 5th when he faced Boston. Kazmir struggled in that outing. He only went 5.1 innings and allowed four runs to the Red Sox. However, the Red Sox offense is much different than the struggling Phillies.

The Phillies will be sending Jeremy Hellickson to the mound. The 29 year-old right hander currently has a record of 9-7 with an ERA of 3.72. He has started 23 games this season for the club and in those games he has struck out 112 batters and has a WHIP of 1.15. In his last seven starts Hellickson’s ERA is down to 2.64. He seems to have had some better control over his last few starts. His last start was also August 5th when the Phillies faced the San Diego Padres. He went six innings, allowed six hits and gave up three earned runs. According to Brooks Baseball, Hellickson primarily throws a fourseam fastball (91 MPH) and a change (81 MPH) while also mixing in a curve using a knuckle grip (77 MPH). He also throws a sinker and cutter, but rarely every throws a slider.

Chase Utley is in his usual lead off spot today. Josh Reddick gets the start in right field and is batting second. Corey Seager got moved down from the second spot in the lineup to the third. Seager is still swinging a hot bat and continues to get new rookie records with the club, so moving him down was a great decision. Yasmani Grandal will be behind the plate. Despite playing in only 84 games this year, Grandal leads the Dodgers in walks with 47 so far this season. Howie Kendrick is getting his usual spot in left field this afternoon. Rob Segedin is playing third base for the club. Segedin has shined since coming up to the big league team. He is an infielder and outfielder, but this is the first time he has played the infield with the Dodgers.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 PM and will be shown on Sports Net LA.