Dodgers Vs. D-Backs Preview: Haren With Opportunity To Build Momentum

[new_royalslider id=”42″] Clayton Kershaw kicked off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ six-game homestand with a dominant outing Friday as the Dodgers not only picked up the win, but also gained ground on the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants suffered another loss Saturday and now lead the Dodgers by seven games in the NL West standings as the Boys in Blue turn the ball over to Dan Haren. The veteran right-hander is 6-4 this season with a 3.49 ERA. Haren began the year 5-1, then suffered three consecutive losses before earning a win in his last start.

Haren is a career 4-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, including a 2-1 mark this season. His last start against his former team was a rough outing for Haren as he allowed five runs on 10 hits in six innings of work.

Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks is Josh Collmenter, who is 4-3 with a 3.65 ERA. As Haren makes his fourth start this season against the Diamondbacks, Collementer faces the Dodgers for the third time.

As the Diamondbacks starting rotation struggled this season, Collmenter was taken out of the bullpen and placed in the rotation in mid-April. Beginning with a win over the Dodgers May 18, Collmenter won three consecutive starts. He’s since regressed a bit and is 0-1 through two June starts with a 5.25 ERA.

Hanley Ramirez returned to the Dodgers lineup Friday after missing time with shoulder irritation and he remains in the lineup Saturday, hitting in what now appears to be his No. 2 spot in the batting order. A.J. Ellis was reinstated from the disabled list Friday, started and is again behind the plate.

With Justin Turner dealing with calf soreness, Miguel Rojas gets the start at third base. Turner pinch-hit in Friday’s game as Chone Figgins had drawn the start.

Ellis is one of five Dodgers who are in the lineup and have a career batting average of at least .375 against Collmenter. However, only Andre Ethier and Dee Gordon have a minimum of 10 at-bats.

Dodgers Lineup

2B: Gordon

SS: Ramirez

RF: Puig

1B: Gonzalez

LF: Kemp

CF: Ethier

C: Ellis

3B: Rojas

P: Haren

Diamondbacks Lineup

SS: Gregorius

RF: Parra

1B: Goldschmidt

C: Montero

2B: Hill

3B: Prado

LF: Peralta

CF: Campagna

P: Collmenter
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