Chris Capuano Goes For Seventh Win in Rubber Game With Astros

Chris Capuano (6-1, 2.25) vs. J.A. Happ (4-3, 4.56)

Lineup:

Gwynn CF

Herrera 2B

Hairston 3B

Ethier RF

Van Slyke 1B

Sands LF

Treanor C

Gordon SS

Capuano P

A.J. Ellis slammed a three-run walk-off homerun last night just as the game was turning four hours old. Our late blooming catcher has grabbed the attention and hearts of Dodger fans, but when will the rest of baseball finally take notice? It was the second time that an opposing team chose to walk James Loney to get to A.J. Ellis in a game on-the-line situation, and it was the second time he won in walk-off form. The first time he drew a walk-off walk, and last night his huge homerun won it for the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth. The Dodgers seem to be able to overcome the days when their starting pitchers don’t have their best stuff, and that is one of the reasons that they still have the best record in the MLB.

Today the Astros will play their final game against the Dodgers before they move into the American League next season. In the rubber match, both teams will be battling for the series win. The season series between the two teams sits at three wins for the Dodgers and two wins for the Astros. The Astros will try to even the season series at three apiece.

The Dodgers send Chris Capuano to the mound who has pitched like an ace this season, and he has recorded seven consecutive quality starts

for the Dodgers. Cappy has 6 wins which is tied for second in the Majors, and he’s eighth in the NL with a 2.25 ERA. Last time out, Cappy pitched 6 innings, and he only allowed one run against the D-backs. He struck out five snakes, and he only walked one. In his career against the Astros, Cappy is 6-4 with a 3.34 ERA. The two Chrises-Chris Johnson and Chris Snyder have hit Capuano the best in the past. They both have hit a homerun against him.

The Astros will not go down easily, and they will have lefty J.A. Happ go to the mound. Happ has pitched well in his last couple of games, and he has only allowed one run in his last 12 innings. His weakness is pitching deep into the game, and he is yet to get past the sixth inning this season. Last Tuesday, Happ picked up the win in a 2-1 game over the Chicago Cubs. In his career against the Dodgers, Happ is 0-2 with a 2.70 ERA. The two Jerrys-Jerry Sands and Jerry Hairston have hit Happ well. They each have hit one four-bagger off Happ.

There is speculation that the Dodgers will be calling up Nathan Eovaldi from AA-Chattanooga. Ted Lilly, who had a very rough start last time out has been plagued with a rusty neck. Lilly is scheduled to start Tuesday. We will keep you posted on any roster movement.

The game will begin at 1:10 pm, and it will be televised on Prime Ticket. After the completion of this series, the Milwaukee Brewers will comes into town for four games.