Preview: Andre Ethier Sits As Dodgers Begin Series With Brewers
Following consecutive dominant pitching performances by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue with their momentum as the Milwaukee Brewers are in town for the start of three-game set before the All Star break.
On the bump for the Dodgers is Mike Bolsinger, who makes his 13th start of this season. He enters with a 4-3 record and 3.09 ERA, mired in somewhat in a rough stretch. Bolsinger has failed to make it to the sixth inning in five consecutive starts. One of his outings over that stretch was cut short due to food poisoning.
Boslinger does however carry an ecouraging 2.90 FIP. Something to keep an eye on Friday night will be his ability to throw first-pitch strikes. So far this season the right-hander has thrown just 53.1 percent of first pitches for strike.
Jimmy Nelson opposes Bolsinger tonight, carrying a record of 6-8 with a 4.50 ERA. Nelson is a ground ball pitcher and induces a ground ball nearly 49.2 percent of all batted balls. With a 1.31 WHIP the Dodgers should be able to get on base early and often. The Brewers have been hot as of late, winning their last eight of 10 games.
Andre Ethier, removed from Thursday’s contest after six innings, is not in the lineup. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday the outfielder is dealing with general soreness and is sitting so as not to tip the scale and head down a path where more issues may arise. Alex Guerrero gets the start in left. He’s slashing .250/.275/.507 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs, however he has not hit a home run since June 2.
Dodgers Lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
2B: Howie Kendrick
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Yasiel Puig
LF: Alex Guerrero
SS: Jimmy Rollins
P: Mike Bolsinger
Brewers Lineup:
LF: Gerardo Parra
C: Jonathan Lucroy
RF: Ryan Braun
1B: Adam Lind
CF: Carlos Gomez
3B: Aramis Ramirez
SS: Jean Segura
2B: Scooter Gennett
P: Jimmy Nelson
[divide]Zack Greinke On Scoreless Streak And Potentially Starting The All-Star Game
