Dodgers at Cubs Game Preview

Tonight at 7:10 CST on Prime Ticket, the Los Angeles Dodgers (57-49) visit Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs (49-58). The Dodgers come into this game after splitting a two game series at home against the Yankees. Los Angeles was were shutout yesterday night by a score of 3-0. Pitcher Clayton Kershaw started the game for the Dodgers, and went 8 scoreless innings. New York scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th, and career save leader Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect ninth for the Yankees to earn a split. Ronald Belisario took the loss for Los Angeles to drop his record to 4-6. Ricky Nolasco will be on the hill for the Dodgers tonight. He has a record of 6-9, with an ERA of 3.72. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is the team leader in batting average for position players at .374. Pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Zack Greinke have averages of .667 and .400, respectively, but Nolasco has only 3 at bats, and Greinke only has 35 at bats. Chicago enters this four game series with the Dodgers after losing three of four at home against the Brewers this past week. Starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, who has been traded three times at the trade deadline, including twice in one day, overcame a 66 minute rain delay yesterday to pick up the win for the Cubs. He pitched 8 innings of one run ball. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro homered for Chicago. Chris Rusin will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs tonight. He has a record of 2-1, with a decent ERA of 2.93. Outfielder Junior Lake leads the team in batting average at .310. Rizzo leads the team in home runs at 15, and RBI with 60. Outfielder Alfonso Soriano was the team leader in home runs with 17, but he was traded to the Yankees last week. This is an interesting matchup. Look for the experienced hitters of Los Angeles to force Rusin into an early exit. I think Nolasco will be dominant, and the Dodgers will collect a road win.

Reds at Dodgers Game Preview

Today at 3:10 CST, the Cincinnati Reds (59-46) visit Dodger Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (55-48). Cincinnati enters the final game of this four game set on a two game losing streak after winning the series opener. The Reds were defeated 4-1 yesterday. They were held to just two hits, one of them to pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was the winning pitcher for the Dodgers. Bronson Arroyo took the loss for the Reds. He scattered 8 hits over 5 1/3 innings. Kenley Jansen picked up his 14th save of the season. Tony Cingrani will be on the hill for Cincinnati today. He has a record 4-1 with an ERA of 3.18. First baseman Joey Votto leads position players with a batting average of .317. Pitcher Manny Parra has an average of .500, but he has only had two at bats. Right fielder Jay Bruce leads the team with 26 home runs, and second baseman Brandon Phillips has a team high 81 RBI. Since the All-Star break, the Dodgers have a record of 8-1. The Dodgers' record of 25-6 the last 31 games is tied for the best start in the team's history. That feat was accomplished in 1962, 1976, and 1977. Source: Elias Sports Bureau. Chris Capuano will be on the hill for Los Angeles today. He has a record of 3-6 with an ERA of 5.03. The Dodgers are fifth in the Majors with a team ERA of 3.57. The starters are fourth in MLB with an ERA of 3.43. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez leads position in batting average at .383. Pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Zack Greinke have averages of .667 and .394, respectively, but Nolasco only has three at bats and Greinke only has 33 at bats. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez leads the club with 15 home runs as well as 65 RBI. This should be a great series finale between two powerhouse franchises and clubs, but look for the power in the Los Angeles lineup to wear down Cingrani. I expect the Dodgers to continue their hot streak and pick up the win today.