Dodgers Still Looking to Clinch Atlanta Series in Game Four

Matt Magill (0-1, 6.38) vs. Mike Minor (7-2, 2.52)

Lineup: 

Puig RF
Punto SS
Gonzalez 1B
Van Slyke LF
Cruz 3B
Schumaker CF
Federowicz C
M Ellis 2B
Magill P

Matt Magill will be getting another spot start as Ted Lilly heads back to the disabled list once again due to his reoccurring rusty neck. Who knows if Lilly will be back again sometime this season, but for now Magill will fill-in for the injured lefty. Magill will try to redeem himself after a disastrous start in Colorado which had him serving up 6 earned runs on 5 hits with an eye-popping 9 walks. The walks even tied a Los Angeles Dodgers record. Magill is yet to get past the sixth inning in a game this season (he’s made 5 starts for the Dodgers). On May 19th in Atlanta, Magill allowed just one run on five hits with 8 strikeouts and three walks in the no-decision.

May 19, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) pitches in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves will send Mike Minor to the mound. The lefty has only made one prior start at Dodger Stadium when he allowed 3 runs on 8 hits. He is 0-1 with a 2.52 ERA against the Dodgers in his career. We saw the young southpaw back on May 19th when he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in the no-decision. In his last start against the Pirates, Minor allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks over 6 innings.

Hanley Ramirez was reportedly going to be able to play on Sunday, even though Mattingly thought his hamstring was too sketchy to run on in the eighth inning on Saturday. This really concerns me that at any moment his hamstring could go out.

The Dodgers are fielding a team which has a combination of minor leaguers and utility men at this point. The injuries are so numerous, that the Dodgers have been giving Dee Gordon time at second base. There’s even discussion on having Gordon play some outfield. Mark Ellis and Hanley Ramirez continue to run the gambit of injuries and down time. Two-thirds of our “gold glove” outfield which we heralded this Spring is rehabbing from hamstring issues. The bullpen is completely ineffective sans Jansen and Paco, and one by one our starting pitchers have succumbed to injury. The Dodgers will need to get their main men healthy in order to field a competitive team.

The future also has many question marks attached to it in regards to the left side of the infield. This

Can Hanley’s hamstring hold up? Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

is why the Dodgers cannot let Luis Cruz go just yet. You don’t want to cut anyone not knowing if someone else will fall the next day.

The Dodgers really need this series win to gain that confidence which could carry on over into the Arizona series. We all are dreading Paul Goldschmidt and company.

The 1:10 p.m. game will be broadcast on Prime Ticket. The Dodgers can either win the series or split the series. Arizona comes into town Monday for a three-game set.