Dodgers Giants Game Three Preview
The Dodgers wrap up the season and waive good bye to their longtime voice.
Apologies for the lack of constant recaps this week. It’s been busy.
Anyways, the Dodgers lost with barely a whimper again last night. Clayton Kershaw ran into a couple rough innings. The offense couldn’t get going against Ty Blach. The Dodgers will open up on the road. Home field would be nice, but it’s far from necessary. Just escape this final game healthy and refocus for the postseason.
One game separates the Dodgers from their date with Washington. Of course, this means it’s the final broadcast for Vin Scully. That’s really all that matters today. Just sit back, crack open a beverage of choice and listen to Scully for the final time.
Dodgers Starter
Kenta Maeda will get the start for his final tuneup before his game three start against the Nats. His 32nd start of the season will max out his games started incentive, and it’s really a classy move by the Dodgers to let him do this. I think we all know there are teams out there that would choose to save $1.5 million by not starting him.
Maeda’s rookie campaign has been excellent and he’s been worth every penny so far. His 3.28 ERA/3.58 FIP have been extremely valuable for a Dodger rotation that has seen more than it’s fair share of injuries.
Maeda struggled a bit in his last start in San Diego. He allowed three runs in four innings and took his 10th loss of the season.
Kenta has started three games against the Giants this season, and the Dodgers have won all of them. He’s gone exactly five innings in each of his last two starts against them and has allowed five runs in 17 total innings. This will be his first start in San Francisco.
Giants Starter
Matt Moore makes the important start for the Giants. While this game means nothing for the Dodgers, it means a lot for SF. A Giants loss and a Cardinals win forces a one-game playoff between the two teams in St. Louis. A Giants win or a Cardinals loss clinches the second wild card for the Giants, who will then have to travel to New York.
Moore has started three games against the Dodgers (two as a Giant, one as a Ray). His first two starts couldn’t have really gone better. In his final Tampa Bay start, Moore allowed four hits and an unearned run in 6.2 innings at Dodger Stadium. As a Giant, he came an out away from a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium back in August. However, a few weeks ago Moore allowed six runs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium and just got dominated.
Dodgers Lineup
A shockingly normal lineup, but I’d be surprised if they kept everyone in past the fifth inning. Get everyone an AB or two and get them out healthy.
In other shocking news, Andre Ethier will be on the postseason roster. I’m not sure what ABs Roberts was watching, but my only explanation is that the Nationals are very righty-heavy. Ethier doesn’t really bring anything that Josh Reddick doesn’t bring, and he’s not exactly the first choice for me for a pinch hitter in a big spot. At least Enrique Hernandez brings some position flexibility, even if he’s been really bad at the plate all season.
Again, today isn’t a day to be mad about things or freak out about this game. Enjoy Vin’s final game.
First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 PST and will be shown on SNLA and KCAL.
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