Preview: Cardinals And Dodgers, Top 2 National League Teams, Meet Again
One of the biggest rivalries in baseball the last couple years has been between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals. And in terms of postseason success, the Cardinals reign supreme as they’ve eliminated the Dodgers the last two years.
While the drama isn’t quite as big as the postseason, the Cardinals and Dodgers are beginning a four-game series Thursday evening at Chavez Ravine. For the second time in the past week, Dodgers young righty Carlos Frias faces fellow young righty Michael Wacha.
Frias ultimately got the better of Wacha in their last matchup, as the 25 year old threw seven innings, giving up five hits and no earned runs in a 5-1 Dodger victory. Frias has filled in nicely for the injured Dodgers starters this season, as he is 4-2 with a 4.29 ERA in six starts. Additionally, he has given up three earned runs or less in five of the six starts.
While Wacha suffered his first loss of the season at the hands of the Dodgers in his last start, he was nonetheless impressive. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but did not last much longer as he gave up three hits and four earned runs in 5.2 innings.
The key hit he gave up was a three-run homer to Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal. Wacha, who threw 13.2 scoreless innings and beat the Dodgers twice in the 2013 NLCS, is 7-1 this season with a 2.27 ERA.
Center fielder Joc Pederson is swinging a hot bat for the Dodgers, as he has hit a home run in five straight games putting him at 17 for the season, which ranks third in the Majors. The MLB record for most consecutive games with a home run is eight, held by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, among others.
The Dodgers, who went 3-4 on their most recent road trip, are happy to be home as they are 21-7 this season at home. The only better home team this season is the Cardinals (22-7). The four-game series with the Cardinals marks the beginning of a seven-game home stand for the Dodgers, who hold a two game division lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.
Dodgers Lineup
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Andre Ethier
LF: Alex Guerrero
SS: Jimmy Rollins
2B: Kike Hernandez
P: Carlos Frias
Cardinals Lineup
2B: Kolten Wong
3B: Matt Carpenter
LF: Matt Holdiay
SS: Jhonny Peralta
1B: Mark Reynolds
RF: Jason Heyward
C: Yadier Molina
CF: Jon Jay
P: Michael Wacha
[divide]2015 Sports Spectacular — Chester Pitts