Dodgers Put Gray May Behind Them, Open June With Hope

Zack Greinke (2-1, 4.38) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (3-3, 3.90)

Lineup:

Crawford LF

M Ellis 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Ethier RF

Hairston 3B

Schumaker CF

Punto SS

Federowicz C

Greinke P

After a tenth inning comeback on Friday night in Denver, the Dodgers will be looking to open the new month on a winning note. They finished the month of May with an abysmal record of 10-17. Even though the Dodgers are working with no center fielder, a struggling closer and bullpen, back up catchers, and different infield combinations and lineup configurations depending on the day and current injury, the Dodgers still somehow squeak out a win or two with this mismatched roster. Yet there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hanley Ramirez should be back on Monday which will bolster the lineup, and the Dodgers are expected to promote a center fielder sometime soon. Whether the center fielder will be one of the prospects which we all are pining for (Yasiel Puig or Joc Pederson) or one of the outfielders from AAA like Tony Gwynn Jr., Elian Herrera, or Matt Angle remains to be seen. The Dodgers don’t seem to be urgent in their need for said center fielder.

The Dodgers won game one in 10 innings on Friday night. Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers will likely shuffle around what players they have hoping for different results. Yet sometimes a good shake up is what is needed in order to inject some much needed momentum shift. After all, what detriment to Puig’s development would be created if he was to fill in for Kemp for a couple of weeks? Same goes for Pederson. It would also give the fans something to enjoy, since most of the season’s games have been less than enjoyable. I think we deserve a little Puig, don’t we?

Zack Greinke will try to bounce back after having two consecutive bad starts. Last time out against the Angels, Greinke allowed four runs on 10 hits with only 2 strikeouts and a walk in just 4 innings pitched. The game before that against the Brewers, Greinke only lasted 4 innings as well while allowing 5 runs on 9 hits with 1 strikeout and 3 walks in the loss. Greinke has made 5 starts against Colorado in his career, and he is 1-1 with a 4.88 ERA against the Rockies. He’s only made one start at Coors Field.

Jhoulys Chacin hasn’t won since April 19th, and his last time out ended in a no-decision after he pitched 7 innings

Jhoulys Chacin will battle Zack Greinke in game two. Photo: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits to the Astros. He did strikeout 9 Houston batters while walking only one. The righty is 6-5 with a 3.15 ERA against the Dodgers over the course of his young career.

The 1:10 p.m. game will air on Prime Ticket. Please join us afterwards for our recap post. Can the Dodgers start the new month out with a win? Or will June bring more gloom?