Can the Dodgers Dig up some Offense in Oakland?

Dodger Lineup vs. Oakland

Nathan Eovaldi-0-2 vs. Tommy Milone-4-5

The Dodgers begin game two of the three game series in the Oakland Alameda Coliseum. The Oakland Coliseum is as big as a mausoleum. There is so much foul ground in this park, I think they excavated an archaeological dig of dinosaur bones in right field. The Dodgers are hoping to unearth some offense tonight at Oakland. The Dodgers could only muster up two hits in last night’s 3-0 loss. That was only the third time the Dodgers have been shutout all season.

Tonight they will give the ball to rookie Nathan Eovaldi. The rook still doesn’t have a win yet, but that’s not his fault. Eovaldi has pitched great, but the Dodgers just can’t score any runs for him. He is like the Hiroki Kuroda of the pitching staff. Eovaldi is 0-2, but has posted a 1.82 ERA in four starts. Eovaldi has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts this season, that is how good he has been. Last start, Eovaldi gave up just one run on seven hits through six innings, but got a no-decision last week against the Angels, because the Dodgers couldn’t score.

After Aaron Harang walked the entire world last night Eovaldi will be a breath of fresh air, in the crypt like atmosphere of Oakland. Eovaldi has never faced the A’s, or any of the current players.

Oakland will counter with 25 year old lefty noob Tommy Milone. The left hander is 6-5 with a 4.48 ERA, and not many whiffs. He has 50 whiffs in 80 innings for a 5.6 whiff per nine rate. However his walk rate is 2.6, so he is usually around the plate. Milone Struggles on the road, (7.42 ERA). but at home he is very tough, 4-1 record, and a 0.98 ERA. His last start he gave up eight runs in Coors Field against Colorado, but again, that is at Coors Field. Back home in the spacious airport of Oakland Coliseum, he pitches well. This may not bode well for the Boys in Blue as we all know how they normally fare against rookie lefties from the American League. One interesting thing about the rookie, is he originally came up with Washington last year, pitching in five games. Milone is also a local boy, graduated from Saugus High School, and also from USC. He has never faced the Dodgers.

It looks like we will get to see star outfielder Yeonis Cespedes who is supposed to return to the lineup for Oakland. Reports also are surfacing that Oakland is going to put pitcher Bartolo Colon on the DL with a right oblique strain.

Interesting lineup tonight. Loney is benched because of the lefty, so Rivera is at first base. Ethier is at DH tonight, and Herrera in right field. Sad to see AJ buried in the number nine spot, but hey at least Kennedy is not playing, so I can’t complain here.

Tonight’s game is on at 7PM, and televised on KCAL 9. Remember the entire Oakland series is on KCAL this week. Finally before we sign off, please say a prayer and keep Roberto Baly of vinscullyismyhomeboy.com in our thoughts. He is in the hospital battling an unknown illness.

Let’s get Roberto some runs guys! Runs help heal the sick I tell you! Go Blue.