Ryu Hopes To Change Dodger’s Fortunes In Morning Rubber Game

Dodgers Lineup vs. Milwaukee

Hyun-jin Ryu-4-2 vs. Wily Peralta-3-4

The Dodgers are a team desperate for one thing right now. No, it’s not accountability, although I’ve already discussed how they need that. Is it runs? Yes, they need to score more runs, but it isn’t that. Is it better defense, or base running? Or is it improved relief pitching? They need all of those things to be competitive, but they need one thing more than all of those important skills. If there is one thing the Dodgers need more than anything else, is change. Yes the Dodgers need some change. The Dodgers need a whole helping of change. Give the Dodgers a spoonful of change, and perhaps things start to get a little better.

The Dodgers sit in last place in the NL West, and after their 5-2 loss to the equally bad Brewers last night, the Dodgers are now 18-26 on the season. The Brewers also have the same exact record as the Dodgers. The Dodgers just need some change. Here we are one quarter of the way through the season (game # 45), you know where change should start? It should always start at the top. Because things aren’t changing right now, and don’t appear to be anytime soon.

Can Ryu give the Dodgers a series win today in Milwaukee?-Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers have only won one game on this six game road-trip, with one more to play this afternoon. The Dodgers are on pace for their worst May record in franchise history. Right now they are 5-13 in the month of May. The Dodgers have to go 6-4 to avoid that infamous record. That seems highly unlikely given the team’s inability to win ballgames.

Hyun-jin Ryu will be looking to administer some change with a strong outing. His last performance in Atlanta was mediocre. Ryu has been very strong this season for the Dodgers. He has a 4-2 record, and posted a 3.42 ERA. Ryu has 56 whiffs against 20 walks. That gives him a 9.1 whiff per nine rate. He’s been very solid, regardless of where he’s pitched. On the road he is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 30 frames.

The Brewers will counter with right hander Wily Peralta. The 24 year old Dominican pitcher has a 5.94 ERA in 50 innings pitched. So of that means the Dodgers will get four hits off of him, right? Peralta has a 3-4 record, in nine starts. Peralta is 1-0 against the Dodgers with that only win earlier this season. Peralta is 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in eight games at Miller Park. No Dodger has had more than three at-bats against Peralta. The Dodgers are hitting .250 (5 for 20), with a .536 OPS against him.

I fully expect for the entire B-team to be in the lineup today. We know Ramon Hernandez will be. I wouldn’t doubt it if the rest of the auto outs make it in. Skip Schumaker, Luis Cruz, and anyone else hitting below the Mendoza line. You know, day game after a night game on a getaway day, so herp derp. Don’t expect much scoring today. If you believe Ken Rosenthal’s article, this may be Don Mattingly’s final game as Dodger manager. I don’t think it will be though. However a loss in today’s rubber game will give the Dodgers another series loss, sinking them to nine games under .500, and could further put a nail in Mattingly’s coffin.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Wily Peralta pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the 1st inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know if anything can save Mattingly or the Dodger season anymore. Things seem pretty bleak at the moment. The Dodgers need some change. More than anything else, they are a team in need of big change.

Grab some coffee, and try to wake up. Or sneak away from your desk, or get away from work for a few minutes. It’s early morning Dodger Baseball! (10 AM start time) It’s the battle of the cellar dwellers as the Dodgers and Brewers duel in the rubber game of the three game set. Tune into Prime Ticket on your television set, then jump over here on your computer, electronic device, or mobile and check out our recap. We can’t promise we won’t rip management for this embarrassment of a season. We will promise you we will be entertaining. What else do we have this year if we can’t entertain ourselves? The Dodgers certainly are not entertaining us with their boring play. Will that change today?

Go Blue.