Dodgers: Series Preview of Mile High NL West Showdown

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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 29: Alex Wood #57 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Editors Note: Rich Hill is now starting Sunday instead of Alex Wood.

Game Three: Alex Wood (8-6, 3.37 ERA) Vs. Tyler Anderson (6-7, 4.80 ERA)

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The series finale will feature a pair of southpaw starters who are trending in opposite directions. For the Dodgers, Alex Wood has put together another fine season. While he is not as dominant as last year, Wood has a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts. Since the all-star break, Wood has been one of the best pitchers in the NL posting a 1.86 ERA since the all-star break.

Tyler Anderson, on the other hand, is trending downward. Anderson has an ERA over nine in his past three starts. Since the all-star break, Anderson has posted a 7.88 ERA with no wins and four losses. If there was a pitcher you could pick to get the Dodger offense going, Anderson would be that guy.

Although he is left-handed, Anderson is a reverse splits pitcher who gets knocked around more by lefties. Right-handed hitters have hit .235 against Tyler but lefties have hit .304. This means that the Dodgers should start Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy. Muncy, in particular, has hit better against left-handed pitchers compared to righties.

Next. The Dodgers most important road trip of the season. dark

The first two games of the series should be two low scoring and highly competitive games. The third game the Dodgers have the biggest advantage since Tyler Anderson has been knocked around all too often and Alex Wood is still as effective as ever. If the Dodgers are able to win one of the first two games, they have a great shot at taking the series sunday.