The Cubs are riding high after the Reds series, though I doubt the Dodgers – in the thick of a playoff race – are going to sport the kind of lineup the Reds were putting out there. Might be a touch tougher series.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs swept the Reds this week, and, in the process, secured a better record than last year. So that’s something!
The Dodgers lead the NL West by a slim margin over the Giants, and are undoubtedly looking at this series as an opportunity to stretch their two-game lead. I suppose that’ll make it a good experience for the young Cubs squad.
L.A. did just lose two games in a row – badly – to the Rockies in Colorado.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Expected Starters and Lineups
These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.
Cubs
Starters: Tsuyoshi Wada (3.34 ERA, 3.83 FIP; 2.82 K/BB), Edwin Jackson (6.09 ERA, 4.33 FIP; 2.02 K/BB), Felix Doubront (1.50 ERA, 3.12 FIP; 1.50 K/BB), Jacob Turner (6.93 ERA, 4.58 FIP; 1.71 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Javier Baez, SS
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Jorge Soler, RF
- Luis Valbuena, 3B
- Welington Castillo, C
- Arismendy Alcantara, CF (might be back)
- Logan Watkins/Chris Valaika, 2B
- Pitcher
Dodgers
Starters: Zack Greinke (2.64 ERA, 3.02 FIP; 4.66 K/BB), Clayton Kershaw (1.70 ERA, 1.86 FIP; 7.82 K/BB), Roberto Hernandez (4.76 ERA, 5.21 FIP; 1.92 K/BB), Dan Haren (4.14 ERA, 4.18 FIP; 3.72 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Dee Gordon, 2B
- Yasiel Puig, CF
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Matt Kemp, RF
- Hanley Ramirez, SS
- Carl Crawford, LF (Either, Van Slyke, and Pederson rotate in, too)
- Juan Uribe, 3B
- A.J. Ellis, C
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Clayton Kershaw is just … historic. He’s so, absurdly good. He dwarfs the performance of his teammate Zack Greinke, who is all kinds of awesome.
Come to think of it, the Cubs are probably going to strike out a lot tonight and tomorrow. Brace yourself for that.
Also: Kershaw versus Jackson. Be there.
Speaking Edwin Jackson, he returns from his lat strain for the first of probably two starts before the end of the season. Going out strong would be nice after an ugly season.
As a reserve, Justin Turner has a 150 wRC+ for the Dodgers this year. I guess the .406(!) BABIP probably has something to do with that.
Every offensive regular for the Dodgers except catcher A.J. Ellis is an above-average bat this year. Unbelievable. (Checks Dodgers’ payroll.) Oh, ok. Believable.
We might get to see Darwin Barney in this one at some point.
Jorge Soler’s wOBA is still hovering around the LOL .500 mark.