Streaking Dodgers Charge Into Toronto, Eh

Dodgers Lineup vs. Toronto

Hyun-jin Ryu-7-3 vs. Josh Johnson-1-5

The blazing hot Dodgers streak into Toronto for a three game series that starts tonight. The Dodgers are coming off of a well earned sweep of the Nationals, capped off by a 9-2 drubbing in the series finale yesterday afternoon. The Dodgers are the hottest team in Baseball right now, having won 20 of their last 25 games. The club is now only a half game behind Arizona for first place in the NL West. If the Dodgers keep this pace up, they should be in first place in no time, maybe even by tonight Eh.

It’s been years since the Dodgers played a series up in Toronto, and to be honest, I can’t remember the last time they did. Regardless, perhaps playing an interleague road series is just what the Dodgers need. Sounds crazy to think this way considering how poor the Dodgers have played in interleague play over the years, but with the ankle injury to Matt Kemp, the slumping Yasiel Puig, and the never ending rustiness of Carl Crawford, this series may be just what the doctor ordered for the Boys in Blue Eh.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) looks on during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.-Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

With the series being played at the Rogers Centre, the Dodgers can use the DH. I am assuming the Dodgers would use the DH for Kemp, in order to help rest his ankle. Or they could put Crawford there to help alleviate some of his rust. Or maybe even Puig? We’ll see, but the Dodgers can really use the DH to their advantage, if you know what I’m talking aboot.

The pitching match-up will feature Dodger lefty Hyun-jin Ryu against right hander Josh Johnson. Ryu had a rough start in his last outing against Arizona back on July 10. In that game he lasted just five frames allowing five runs on seven hits. Mattingly figured Ryu may need some extra rest so he pushed back his spot until the Toronto series. There have been grumblings about Ryu’s velocity declining over the last few starts. But that really isn’t the case. I mean, the Korean League season isn’t that much shorter (144 games) than the Major League regular season.

Still Ryu has been amazingly consistent, pitching into the sixth inning in 16 of his 18 starts. Of course Ryu has never faced the Blue Jays, so unfortunately there will be no fancy graph to show you eh. Ryu is 7-3 this season with a 3.09 ERA. He has 93 whiffs and 39 walks in 116 innings pitched.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Josh Johnson (55) delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre.-Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays will counter with Josh Johnson. The right hander is just a shell of his former self. The 29 year old has been riddled with Injuries for the last few seasons. He battled a sore tricep injury for most of the early part of the season which sidelined him for weeks. Johnson has had a disappointing season to say the least. He is 1-5 with a 5.16 ERA. Johnson’s last start against Baltimore on July 14, saw him allow seven runs on seven hits in six innings. Johnson is still able to strike guys out. He has 67 in 66 innings pitched. He has only walked 23, but he’s allowing more hits and home runs than ever before. He’s already allowed ten long balls, and is giving up 10.7 hits per nine innings. That means he’s allowed 76 hits in his 66 innings eh. Johnson has four pitches,slider, changeup, curve, and a mid to upper 90’s fastball.

The Dodgers have seen Johnson before from his days with the Marlins. Johnson is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers. The Dodgers have hit Johnson pretty well over the past seasons. The Boys in Blue are hitting .358 (29 for 81) versus Johnson with four home runs. Andre Ethier is batting over .500 against him. Check out what the rest of the Dodgers have done against Johnson below.

PA

AB

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

OBP

SLG

Carl Crawford

17

13

4

1

0

1

2

2

0

.308

.400

.615

Andre Ethier

17

15

8

2

0

0

3

2

2

.533

.588

.667

17

15

5

1

0

1

5

1

5

.333

.353

.600

10

10

4

0

0

0

0

0

2

.400

.400

.400

8

7

1

0

0

1

2

1

2

.143

.250

.571

7

7

2

1

1

0

2

0

2

.286

.286

.714

5

4

1

0

0

0

0

1

2

.250

.400

.250

4

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

.000

.000

.000

3

2

2

1

0

1

1

1

0

1.000

1.000

3.000

2

2

2

0

0

0

1

0

0

1.000

1.000

1.000

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

Total

93

81

29

6

1

4

16

8

19

.358

.411

.605

I don’t know much about the Blue Jays, but they have had a disappointing season. They are in last place in the AL East, and have six pitchers currently on the DL. They’re currently 13 games behind the Red Sox.

The Dodgers on the other hand are 50-47 on the season and just a half game behind Arizona. Catch the game tonight on KCAL 9 at 4:07 PM. Then come back over here for our recap. Keep the momentum going Dodgers! We’re almost there! And if anything goes wrong, blame Canada. Go Blue.