Preview: Zack Greinke Starts As Dodgers Go For Third Straight Win Over Reds

After losing to the Cincinnati Reds Thursday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers (66-51) have bounced back to win two straight and look to win the series on Sunday afternoon.

The Dodgers send a hot Zack Greinke to the mound as he is 12-2 on the season with a Major-League best 1.59 ERA, opponents’ batting average (.191) and WHIP (0.86). In his last 10 starts, Greinke is 7-0 with a 1.15 ERA and his 25-5 career record at Dodgers stadium is the highest winning percentage of any starting pitcher in the stadium’s history.

In 10 career starts against the Reds, Greinke is 5-2 with a 2.75 ERA. In his last matchup against them on May 27 of last year, he struck out 11 and allowed three runs in 7.2 innings of a 6-3 victory.

The Reds counter by starting Antony DeSclafani, who has become the veteran of Cincinnati’s staff despite only being 25 years old and in his first full big league season. The righty is 7-7 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.36 WHIP on the season.

He’s 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts and 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 12 road starts this season. In his only meeting with the Dodgers on May 14, 2014, DeSclafani gave up two runs in six innings while striking out seven in a 13-3 victory while he was with the Miami Marlins.

The Dodgers bats have been hot lately, embodied by the four home runs they hit in Saturday’s win. They lead the National League with 144 home runs, a .332 on-base percentage and 403 walks. Since the All-star break the team is batting .276, which ranks second in the Majors.

Kiké Hernandez has become the everyday second baseman in the absence of Howie Kendrick and excelled. Hernandez has done particularly well over the last 14 games, batting .432/.512/.757 (16-for-37) with three home runs, three doubles and eight RBIs.

Hernandez again bats behind leadoff man Jimmy Rollins, who has found his groove in the second half of the season. In his last 22 games, Rollins is batting .318 (27-for-85) with three home runs and six RBIs.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expects closer Kenley Jansen will be available to pitch Sunday, despite his first child being born Sunday morning.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Kiké Hernandez

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

LF: Andre Ethier

RF: Yasiel Puig

C: Yasmani Grandal

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Zack Greinke

Reds Lineup:

2B: Brandon Phillips

SS: Eugenio Suarez

1B: Joey Votto

3B: Todd Frazier

RF: Jay Bruce

LF: Marlon Byrd

C: Tucker Barnhart

P: Anthony DeSclafani

CF: Billy Hamilton

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