Series Preview: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers
If there's one thing the Diamondbacks (11-14) have proven they can do, it's win two games in a series. Arizona has taken a pair of games in three of its last four series. The Snakes beat the Rockies and Cubs outright and split a four-game stand at Milwaukee over the weekend.
If there's one thing the Diamondbacks really would like to do, it'd be to close the gap on the first place Dodgers (18-8). Los Angeles has won five of its previous six games, most recently including a four-game sweep of the visiting Padres.
So Monday's and Tuesday's games at Chavez Ravine offer an opportunity for Arizona. Even with a ceiling of two wins in a series, the Diamondbacks are poised to sweep a two game set against the Dodgers. How, you ask? Read on.
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Starting pitching is the soft underbelly of the Dodgers. After bona fide stud Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles is relying on some very shaky options. The Snakes get to see the worst of the Dodgers' starters tonight and tomorrow.
Lefty Eric Stults starts Game 1, but will be hard pressed to match his success from his last encounter with Arizona. Filling-in for the injured Hiroki Kuroda, Stults threw five and one-third innings of one run ball, striking out five and allowing only four hits and two walks. Since that early-April contest, he has reverted to his unimpressive career form, with 10 IP, 19 H, 10 ER, 10 BB, and 6 K. Stults does not have the stuff to fool the Diamondbacks batters for a second time in less than a month.
Game 2 starter Jeff Weaver replaced the scuffling James McDonald in the second inning of Thursday's Dodgers-Padres game. He has now replaced McDonald in the Los Angeles rotation, but his long term prospects look dim. Buoyed by Dodger Stadium, Weaver won a combined 27 games for Los Angeles in 2005 and 2006, albeit with an ERA over 4.00 each season. Since then, he's got a pair of major league seasons with 5.76 and 6.20 ERAs, respectively, and he spent all of 2008 in the minors for the Milwaukee and Cleveland organizations. The 32-year old Weaver is strictly a retread now. Current Diamondbacks have tagged Weaver for .303 / .345 / .566 with 4 HR in 84 plate appearances, so scoring runs against him should not be a problem.
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Arizona counters with a couple of their own in-form starters -- Doug Davis in Game 1 and Max Scherzer in Game 2.
His career numbers against present Dodgers (.354 / .412 / .455) are not strong, but Davis has held those opponents without a home run in 223 all-time plate appearances. And rarely has Davis been so on his game as he is entering play tonight. In his last four start, he has been simply outstanding (29 IP, 26 H, 6 BB, 23 K, 2.17 ERA, 1.103 WHIP). It will take another tremendous effort from Davis to slow the Los Angeles offense (5.42 runs per game).
Scherzer is still looking for his first career victory; Dodger Stadium could be the place to find it. On September 7, in his only previous appearance at Los Angeles, Mighty Max (5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 11 K) was the hard-luck loser despite befuddling Dodgers batters. That talent for domination was again on display as Scherzer (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K) got a no-decision in Thursday's series-opener with the Brewers. If he deals the same sort of heat against Los Angeles, Scherzer looks likely to get into the win column before the road trip ends.
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Diamondbacks bats have begun to score in bunches. There are longball threats up and down the order, led by Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton. The Snakes have also shown improved plate discipline in clutch situations. In the last week, Arizona batters have drawn bases-loaded walks five times. When improved plate approach, power and RBI-opportunities combine, an offensive explosion is inevitable. Against the back of the Los Angeles rotation, we predict a modest but most welcome two-game sweep.
1 responses to this Post, with 1 unique participants
Scherz in Game 2
I like the matchup and the K's should keep the Dodger offense at bay if he is hitting his spots.