Editorials

Dodgers Game Preview: Machado Set to Make Team Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers

Time: 5:10 PM PT

Venue: Miller Park

Los Angeles Record: 53-43

Milwaukee Record: 55-43

After a four-day hiatus thanks to the All-Star break, the Dodgers are back in business. Coming into Friday’s opener in Milwaukee, the Dodgers are a much-improved team since the last time we saw them. 

They finally pulled through with the Manny Machado acquisition as they plan to spend the next 66 games (plus the postseason) with the star shortstop.



This is the first meeting between the Brewers and Dodgers in 2018. Los Angeles won three out of the six games in their head-to-head matchups in 2017.

How Are The Dodgers Doing?

The Dodgers come back from the break, having won five of their last seven games. They finally stand alone in first place

The Brewers, on the other hand, return to action hoping to change their luck. They have lost their last five games and now trail the Cubs by three games in the NL Central.

Why This Game is Important

With all the excitement surrounding the acquisition of Machado, the Dodgers still need to prove that they can win their division. They lead the Diamondbacks by only a half game in the NL West. The Diamondbacks are playing at home against the Rockies.

The Brewers are also in must-win mode. They have a deficit in the standings that is increasing each day. They missed out on Machado and need to add a shortstop by the trade deadline.

Pitching Probables

Rich Hill (2-4, 4.55 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (1-1, 2.38 ERA)

The series opener features a pair of veteran lefties. Rich Hill threw one scoreless inning in his last outing against the Angels. He is looking for his first win since July 4 and his first victory on the road in 2018.

Wade Miley has spent most of the season on the DL with an oblique injury. He lost his last start after allowing two runs over five innings.

Matchup of the Day

Manny Machado vs. Wade Miley

All eyes will be on Manny Machado as he makes his Dodgers debut. To ease some of the pressure, he will face a pitcher who he has had success against. In nine at-bats against Wade Miley, Machado has three hits, including a home run. Machado also comes into the game batting .360 with four home runs in July.

Vegas Odds

Odds Shark

Los Angeles: -142

Milwaukee: +132

FiveThirtyEight

Los Angeles: 57% chance of winning

Milwaukee: 43% chance of winning

Fun Fact

Manny Machado recorded his first career home run in 2012 off of two-time Dodgers draft pick Luke Hochevar.

Dodgers Option Toles to Make Room for Machado

 

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.

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