“He’s had an unbelievably unlucky year,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
NATHAN LOOKING TO GET LUCKY
Through his first three Major League starts, Nathan Eovaldi is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA. Eovaldi has already made two starts on the road (0-1, 3.27 ERA); most recently on Wednesday against the Brewers, where Eovaldi allowed just two runs and five hits in six innings pitched.
The three teams that Eovaldi has faced (Brewers, Astros and Diamondbacks) are all teams that have been, or were slumping at the times he opposed them.
He owns a 12:9 K/BB ratio. He has not allowed any home runs, but is going up against a Cardinal team that features Albert Pujols (31 home runs), Lance Berkman (28) and Matt Holliday (18).
OLD FRIEND TO SIT OUT THE SERIES?
It’s already been three weeks since the Dodgers dealt shortstop, Rafael Furcal to the Cardinals. However, the first reunion attempt may not exactly happen.
Furcal was the victim of a semi-freak accident on Saturday at Wrigley Field when he tripped over a rope. Furcal sprained his thumb while trying to brace the fall.
X-Rays were negative. Furcal is listed as day-to-day, but may miss the series.
For those wondering what Furcal has done since he left the Dodgers; he is batting 3-for-20 (.150) in a recent slump. Overall, he is batting .219 in 17 games with the Cardinals.
MUST FIGURE OUT A WAY TO BEAT CARP
The Dodgers now find themselves in a situation where they were nearly in third place, but suddenly are in last.
Today, they oppose a pitcher they have never beat, Chris Carpenter. In nine career starts, Carpenter is 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA against the Dodgers.
In his last outing against the Dodgers on April 17, Carpenter failed to factor in a decision as the Dodgers prevailed 2-1. Carpenter did his part though, as he pitched seven scoreless innings allowing five hits and striking out six. The Dodgers would win the game thanks to a Matt Kemp walkoff-homer.
Kemp is 4-for-15 (.267) with five strikeouts against Carpenter in the past. Yesterday’s star, James Loney, is 2-for-17 (.118) against Chris.
Kemp is currently in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak.
DODGERS vs. CARPENTER
28-for-124 (.226), 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 4 BB, 26 K, .248 OBP, .315 SLG, .563 OPS
CARDINALS vs. EOVALDI
First appearance vs. Cardinals
HISTORY
4/14: Cardinals 9, @ Dodgers 5
4/15: Cardinals 11, @ Dodgers 2
4/16: Cardinals 9, @ Dodgers 2
4/17: @ Dodgers 2, Cardinals 1
Game 1: Today
Game 2: Tuesday at 5:15 PM; Clayton Kershaw vs. Kyle Lohse
Game 3: Wednesday at 11:15 AM; Hiroki Kuroda vs. Jaime Garcia
Cardinals lead series 965-936.
AROUND THE WEST
1. Diamondbacks (69-58) @ Washington Nationals; Saunders (8-10) vs. Detwiler (1-3)
2. Giants (68-60) OFF
3. Rockies (60-68) vs. Houston Astros; Myers (3-12) vs. Chacin (9-10)
4. Padres (59-70) OFF
5. DODGERS (57-69)
Game 127
Los Angeles Dodgers
(57-69, 26-35 away)
St. Louis Cardinals
(67-60, 32-27 home)
Monday, August 22, 2011
5:15 PM
Busch Stadium
St. Louis, Missouri
Condition: Partly Cloudy Game-Time Temperature: 79 F (Feels like 79 F)
Humidity: 63% Wind: 6 ESE
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: KABC 790, KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)
LAST 10 GAMES
LA: 5-5 (Lost 2)
STL: 5-5 (Won 1)
LINEUPs
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jamey Carroll, SS
- James Loney, 1B
- Matt Kemp, CF
- Juan Rivera, LF
- Andre Ethier, RF
- Aaron Miles, 3B
- Rod Barajas, C
- Eugenio Velez, 2B
- Nathan Eovaldi, P
St. Louis Cardinals
- Skip Schumaker, 2B
- Jon Jay, CF
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Matt Holliday, LF
- Lance Berkman, RF
- David Freese, 3B
- Yadier Molina, C
- Daniel Descalso, SS
- Chris Carpenter, P
STARTING PITCHERS
Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 2.12 ERA)
vs. Chris Carpenter (8-8, 3.68 ERA)
OVER/UNDER: 7
LINE: Cardinals -134
INJURY REPORT
LA- QUESTIONABLE – Ted Lilly (Neck), Casey Blake (Shoulder) PROBABLE – Andre Ethier (Toe); 15-day DL: Dee Gordon (Shoulder), Rubby De La Rosa* (Elbow), Kenley Jansen (Heart), Juan Uribe (Groin), Jonathan Broxton (Elbow), Vicente Padilla (Forearm), Jon Garland* (Shoulder); 60-day DL: Hector Gimenez (Knee); Restricted: Ronald Belisario (Personal)
STL- DOUBTFUL – Rafael Furcal (Thumb); 15-Day DL: Nick Punto (Oblique), Lance Lynn (Oblique); 60-Day DL: Adam Wainwright* (Elbow), Eduardo Sanchez (Shoulder)
* denotes that player is out for season.
