Dodgers Land In Houston, Looking To Attack!

Dodgers Goal: Attack Astros!

Dodgers @ Astros
(10-3)                                  (4-9)

Minute Maid Park

April 21-April 23

Game 1:
Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 1.50)
Clayton Kershaw pitched a masterpiece of a no-decision against the Giants, allowing only one hit and one run over seven innings with 13 strikeouts. All he had to show for it was a no-decision, as the bullpen blew the save. But Kershaw was able to contain a veteran lineup despite lacking command of his change-up, becoming the youngest Dodger to strike out 13 since Sandy Koufax was 19.

Russ Ortiz (0-0, 6.23)
Ortiz had his longest performance so far this year in his last outing vs. the Pirates, allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings in an Astros win. He still seeks his first win of the season and will do so against the Dodgers, whom he’s faced plenty of times in his career. The former Giant has made 22 appearances vs. the Dodgers, including 21 starts. He has a record of 8-9 and a 5.07 ERA, with 57 walks and 76 strikeouts.

Game 2:
Randy Wolf (1-1, 3.93)
Wolf showed his resiliency on the mound as he bounced back from a rough first inning against the Rockies on Friday. He allowed three runs in the first, including a two-run home run, but then pitched five scoreless innings. In all, Wolf tossed six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. He is 4-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 11 starts against Houston in his career.

Roy Oswalt (0-2, 4.26)
In his last outing, Oswalt threw 108 pitches over six innings but didn’t allow any runs against a Reds team that he has dominated throughout his career. Oswalt took a no-decision when Jose Valverde blew a save opportunity in the ninth. Oswalt faced the Dodgers once last year, earning the win after allowing one run over six innings. In his career, the right-hander is 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA against L.A., spanning eight starts.

Game 3:
Chad Billingsley (3-0, 2.85)
Billinglsey was nearly unhittable through five innings against the Rockies on Saturday but struggled in the sixth. He walked Seth Smith to open the frame, then allowed a single by Todd Helton before surrendering a three-run triple to Brad Hawpe that went by a diving Manny Ramirez. Hawpe then scored on a sacrifice fly, and Billingsley was lifted after the inning. In all, Billingsley allowed three runs on just four hits in six innings, while striking out six. The right-hander will face the Rockies again on Friday at Coors Field, where he has struggled in his career. He is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in four career games in Colorado.

Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 1.89)
Rodriguez tied a career high with 10 strikeouts during one of the best outings of his career in his last start, against the Reds. Rodriguez threw 105 pitches in seven innings, allowing two hits and walking two. He stuck out five at one point early in the game, catching three consecutive batters looking at called third strikes in the third. Rodriguez allowed five runs over five innings in his only start against the Dodgers last season, taking a no-decision. In his career, he’s 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA over five games against Los Angeles.

Probable Lineups
Dodgers
Furcal SS
Hudson 2B
Ramirez LF
Ethier RF
Martin C
Loney 1B
Kemp CF
Blake 3B

Astros
Matsui 2B
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Blum 3B
Rodriguez C
Bourn CF

Source: mlb.scout.com