Preview: Brett Anderson, Dodgers Look To End First Half Strong

The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves one game away from the All-Star Break. Boasting a 50-39 record, the team leads the NL West by a 4.5 game margin. After Saturday night’s 7-1 debacle against the Milwaukee Brewers, the rubber game on Sunday will be the decisive victory to win the series.

Making his 18th start of the season is Brett Anderson. The southpaw pitcher is 5-5, with a 3.12 ERA. Anderson had his three-game winning streak snapped when the team faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this week. The 27-year-old has been a staple in the rotation for the Dodgers and his 2015 campaign has been the most starts he has had in a season since 2010.

With a FIP of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.307, Anderson is allowing a .274 batting average to his opponents, but hasn’t been getting burned. In his last four starts, the pitcher has only allowed six earned runs. In his six-year career, Anderson has yet to face the Brewers and is presented the opportunity to face some unfamiliar faces.

Taking the hill for the Brewers is Kyle Lohse. Making his 19th start of the season, the right-handed pitcher has taken a step back in production. On the season, Lohse is 5-10 with an atrocious 6.29 ERA. The 14-year veteran’s FIP is at 4.92 to go along with a WHIP of 1.427, which is the main reason why he has struggled and batters are hitting .297 against him. The California native has allowed four or more earned runs in seven of his last 10 starts, not making it past 6.1 innings in any of the starts.

The 36-year-old Lohse has made 11 career starts against the Dodgers. In those starts he is 2-4, with a 4.43 ERA. Lohse faced the Dodgers earlier this season, on May 4. In five innings pitched, he allowed four hits, three walks, and three earned runs. He would receive a no-decision, but the Brewers would win the game 4-3.

Making a surprise start leading off the game is shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Joc Pederson slides to fifth in the lineup in Yasmani Grandal’s spot, who gets a day off. A.J. Ellis bats seventh and Kiké Hernandez, batting eighth, gives Andre Ethier a day off.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

CF: Joc Pederson

RF: Yasiel Puig

C: A.J. Ellis

LF: Enrique Hernandez

P: Brett Anderson

Phillies Lineup:

LF: Khris Davis

C: Jonathan Lucroy

RF: Ryan Braun

CF: Carlos Gomez

1B: Adam Lind

3B: Aramis Ramirez

SS: Jean Segura

2B: Hernan Perez

P:Kyle Lohse