Red Hot, White, and BLUE- Dodgers Go For Mile High Sweep

Chris Capuano (2-5, 4.72) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (7-3, 3.59)

Dodgers Lineup:

What a difference a couple of weeks can make. The Dodgers have now won their last 10 of 11, and they are taking advantage of their league counterparts’ woes. Now tied with Colorado at 2 1/2 games back of first place Arizona, the Dodgers look to sweep the Rockies on their way up the ladder to the top spot. Games at Coors Field are always wild and unpredictable. The starting pitchers often are out early (unless you are Clayton Kershaw of course). Even though Greinke was trying to nibble around the plate too much and ended up walking an eye-popping seven batters, the Dodgers offense took charge and beat Colorado’s big guns like CarGo and Cuddyer for the 10-8 win on Wednesday night. The Dodgers will look to Chris Capuano to try to put a bookend on the series this afternoon before they return to California to take on the reeling Giants for a three-game set.

Jun 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Chris Capuano (35) reacts to allowing a run to score in the first inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Capuano was really bad his last time out against Philadelphia when he allowed 5 runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings. Perhaps it was lingering effects from the three-rest start he made prior. After he had returned from the disabled list Capuano looked good, so maybe he will return to form tonight versus the Rox. Capuano is 5-8 with a 3.94 ERA against the Rockies in his career. He’ll have to fend off Wilin Rosario who has hit 2 homeruns against the left-hander in just 5 at-bats. At Coors Field, Cappy is 2-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 8 games. He’s allowed 6 homeruns at the dreaded stadium in 45 innings pitched.

Jhoulys Chacin allowed 5 runs on 9 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks over 6 innings

Jun 28, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (45) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

last time he faced the Dodgers earlier in the season on June 1st in Colorado for a no-decision. Last time out against the Giants, Chacin was solid and only allowed 3 hits over 8 shutout innings for the win. In his career against Los Angeles, the right-hander is 6-5 with a 3.50 ERA. A.J. Ellis has hit him well with a homerun, and Matt Kemp has gone deep against him in the past as well. Chacin has won four games in a row.

Matt Kemp, whose Bison Blast in the ninth inning reminded us of what could be, has been swinging the bat better of late. That was his first homerun since May 20th.

The Dodgers may not have Yasiel Puig, their firecracker, in the lineup today after the Cuban phenom crashed in to the cursed Coors Field wall last night and bruised his hip. X-rays were negative, but the outfielder may get a much-deserved day off to rest before the San Francisco series. Knowing Puig, I’m sure he is making the case that he can play though. The Dodgers will still have Hanley Ramirez who is riding a 14-game hitting streak going in to Thursday’s game. The super hot shortstop is 27-for-50 with 6 homeruns ,5 doubles, and 16 RBIs during his streak. Last night Hanley went 4-for-5 with a double and a homerun.

Tune in to Prime Ticket at 5:10 p.m., and be sure to come back to LL for all the postgame festivities. Happy 4th of July! Go Red, White, and BLUE!