Preview: Dodgers Look To Give Greinke Run Support In Chicago

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats came alive on Sunday evening, hitting four homers in a 10-run outburst against the San Francisco Giants. However those bats once again went quiet on Monday in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs, as they were only able to score on two solo homers by Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson.

Two runs may be enough on Tuesday, as the Dodgers will send their best pitcher so far this season to the mound, Zack Greinke. The former AL Cy Young winner is 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts so far this season. He has not received much run support, leading to him not getting a win in his last eight starts despite a 1.99 ERA in that time span.

Greinke is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in three career starts at Wrigley Field though, his worst ERA in any National League ballpark.

The Cubs will counter with right-hander Jason Hammel, who is 5-2 with a 2.89 ERA on the season. He is 2-4 with a 5.67 ERA in 10 career games against the Dodgers though.

The two Dodgers that hit Hammel well are Howie Kendrick, who is 7-for-13 against him, and Andre Ethier, who is 9-for-25 with two home runs.

While Greinke may only need two runs to win, it would be nice to score more runs. Dodgers manager has chosen to bat Kendrick third on Tuesday in order to do that. Additionally, third baseman Justin Turner, who has been the Dodgers hottest hitter, will get the day off. Alberto Callaspo will start in his place. The 32-year-old is 5-for-12 against Hammel in his career.

After homering twice on Monday, Kris Bryant is once again batting third for the Cubs. The rookie is batting .282 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs through the first 60 games of his career.

Dodgers Lineup:

RF: Yasiel Puig

CF: Joc Pederson

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Andre Ethier

3B: Alberto Callaspo

SS: Jimmy Rollins

P: Zack Greinke

Cubs Lineup:

LF: Chris Coghlan

1B: Anthony Rizzo

3B: Kris Bryant

C: Miguel Montero

SS: Starlin Castro

RF: Mike Baxter

CF: Matt Szczur

P: Jason Hammel

2B: Addison Russell

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