Editorials

Game Preview: Dodgers Search For Third Straight Win Behind Maeda

Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies

Time: 4:05 PM PT



Venue: Citizens Bank Park

Los Angeles Record: 56-44

Philadelphia Record: 55-44

How are the Dodgers Doing?

Ever since they traded for Manny Machado, the Dodgers offense has recorded at least 10 hits and is averaging 6.5 runs per game. Although their four games with Machado is a small sample size, they averaged just over 8.26 hits and 4.71 runs per contest, prior to the acquisition.

The Dodgers are coming off a 7-6 win against the Phillies, which featured four home runs hit by Los Angeles. The only hit allowed by the bullpen in their 4.1 innings of work was a home run allowed by Kenley Jansen.

Why is this Game Important?

Even though the Dodgers are playing an important set against the Phillies, this series belongs to Chase Utley. Although he went 0-4 in Monday’s effort, he received a standing ovation by the fans of Philadelphia.

Seeing Utley return to the city that groomed him reminds us of how impactful he was as a member of the Phillies. The 39-year-old was selected to six All-Star Games as a member of the Phillies and played a major role in their 2008 World Series run.

Pitching Matchup

Kenta Maeda (7-5, 3.12 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (12-3, 2.30 ERA)

Kenta Maeda won his last start on July 11 when he allowed just one run over 5.2 innings against the Padres. Maeda faced the Phillies earlier this year, though lasted just 1.2 innings before exiting with a hip injury. Since May 17, he has an ERA of 1.95 and has struck out nine batters in each of his last four starts.

The red-hot Dodgers offense will have its hands full dealing with Aaron Nola on the mound. He defeated the Dodgers earlier this year after allowing just two hits in seven innings. Nola served as the lone Phillies representative in the All-Star Game last Tuesday.

Matchup of the Day

Yasmani Grandal vs Aaron Nola

The lone player on the Dodgers roster with a home run against Aaron Nola is Yasmani Grandal. Grandal connected for his 14th longball of the year yesterday, in what has been a productive month for the 7-year veteran. He is batting .405 with three home runs in 15 games in July. He came into the month batting just .227 and he is now up to .255.

Vegas Odds

Odds Sharks

Dodgers: -108

Phillies: +102

FiveThirtyEight

Dodgers: 49% chance of winning

Phillies: 51% chance of winning

Fun Fact

Chase Utley’s 35-game hitting streak in 2006 remains the longest such streak by a second baseman.

Alex Verdugo Joins Dodgers in Philadelphia

Arthur Cribbs

Arthur Cribbs is a journalism student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He is a lifelong Dodgers fan and when he is not at school, he resides in Los Angeles.

2 Comments

  1. News Flash they lost!!!! When will the front office get fed up with this Dave Roberts???
    He has never impressed me.. and he still doesn’t and this Machado.. gezzz he is as impressive and a stump!! Been a Dodger fan sine i was 4 and 73 now.. saw first game at Ebbets Field agains the Cards..and this is one of worse teams Dodgers have put on the field… ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

  2. I hear you. I have been a Dodger fan since 1955 and at the age of 70, I might not see another championship. 2017 was our best chance in 29 years and unless the Series was fixed for Houston, we blew games 3, 5, (these 2 games on the bullpen)and 7 (this game on Roberts for starting Darvish instead of Kershaw.

    I am as fed up with the front office as I am with Roberts, who was stupid for pitching Kiki in Tuesday’s game. Blame Roberts, not Kiki, who is a reliable hitter and fielder, not a pitcher, you idiot!

    On the last point, however, I have to disagree. Despite major injuries this year (Seager, Turner, Kershaw is not 100%), we are still in contention for the postseason, when anything can happen. Remember 1988 – the Dodgers beat a better Mets team to get to the series and beat a better Oakland team to win it, so don’t give up hope

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