Preview: Dodgers Look To Complete Back-To-Back Series Sweeps

With essentially two weeks of baseball under their belt, the Los Angeles Dodgers sit atop the National League West with an 8-3 record and have the third-best record in the Majors. While it’s early to take the standings to heart, the team has been nothing short of on fire this past week and they look to extend their winning streak to seven games with a sweep of the Colorado Rockies.

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy takes the mound for his third start with the Dodgers. The 31 year old has shown the organization some promise amid interesting results. McCarthy’s recorded 19 strikeouts and hasn’t issued a walk over 12 innings pitched, but at the same time has given up nine earned runs on 15 hits. Additionally, he’s given up six home runs — second-highest in the Majors — including four in his last outing against the Seattle Mariners.

McCarthy has a decent amount of familiarity with the Rockies lineup, but that may not be in his favor. Troy Tulowitzki is 5-for-9 with one home run and four RBIs against McCarthy and Charlie Blackmon is hitting .500. Nolan Arenado is 2-for-6 against the right hander with both of his hits being home runs.

The Rockies counter with rookie Eddie Butler, who makes his fifth Major League start Sunday afternoon. Coincidentally, two of the 24-year-old right hander’s previous four starts have come against the Dodgers — one apiece at home and on the road.

Butler is 0-1 against the Boys in Blue and has given up 11 earned runs on 18 hits over 10 innings pitched. Although Yasiel Puig returned Saturday after missing three straight games with tightness in his left hamstring, he again is out of the lineup Sunday and he’s replaced by Andre Ethier.

Justin Turner, who is 4-for-5 against Butler, makes the start at third base to give Juan Uribe a day of rest and Scott Van Slyke fills in for Carl Crawford, who is still under the weather. A final change to the lineup is A.J. Ellis starting behind the plate.

Dodgers lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

3B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

RF: Andre Ethier

LF: Scott Van Slyke

CF: Joc Pederson

C: A.J. Ellis

P: Brandon McCarthy

Rockies lineup:

CF: Charlie Blackmon

RF: Carlos Gonzalez

SS: Troy Tulowitzki

1B: Justin Morneau

3B: Nolan Arenado

LF: Corey Dickerson

C: Michael McKenry

2B: Daniel Descalso

P: Eddie Butler

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