Editorials

Preview: Dodgers Go For Sweep As Juan Uribe Starts For Braves

Mark J. Terrill-AP Photo
Mark J. Terrill-AP Photo

The Los Angeles Dodgers gave their ace plenty of run support Tuesday night to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 8-0. Now one night after Clayton Kershaw dominated, the Dodgers turn to their other All-Star pitcher in Zack Greinke with their eyes on a series sweep.

Despite a strong performance from Greinke in his las outing, the Dodgers failed to get him a win. Greinke has only allowed one run in each of his last three starts while lowering his ERA to 1.48 but a lack of early run support have resulted in him going 0-1 in that stretch. The Dodgers won the other two games by relying on their bullpen.



Opposing Greinke is Alex Wood, who is coming off a win in his last start. In 7.2 innings of work, Wood held the Miami Marlins to two runs, one unearned, and five hits as the Braves came away with a 5-3 victory. Overall, Wood is 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA.

Wednesday is the second time Greinke and Wood have started against each other. The two dueled last season in a game the Dodgers eventually won in extra innings. Both pitchers only gave up one run while striking out a high number of batters. Wood got the Dodgers to go down on strikes eight times while Greinke set a season-high with 13.

After a day of back-and-forth trade talk talks, the Dodgers and Braves made their six-player trade official Wednesday afternoon. Juan Uribe’s time with the Dodgers came to an end as he was sent to Atlanta and he starts at third base for the Braves. It will be his first start in a week as he looks to regain his hitting confidence.

Uribe will see Greinke as an opposing pitcher for the first time since 2008 when the two were with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, respectively. He’s a lifetime .278 hitter against his now-former teammate with one home run.

For the Dodgers, Chris Heisey starts in right field after being recalled earlier in the day. It’s his third start at the Major League level this season and fourth game overall. In 10 plate appearances, Heisey has one hit and drew five walks. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said pregame Scott Van Slyke is dealing with a minor back issue, which prompted the club to recall Heisey.

Dodgers Lineup

CF: Joc Pederson

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

LF: Alex Guerrero

RF: Chris Heisey

C: A.J. Ellis

P: Zack Greinke

Braves Lineup

2B: Jace Peterson

CF: Cameron Maybin

1B: Freddie Freeman

RF: Nick Markakis

3B: Juan Uribe

C: A.J. Pierzynski

LF: Jonny Gomes

SS: Andrelton Simmons

P: Alex Wood

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Juan Uribe On Being Traded To The Braves

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

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