Dodgers Look To Get Well Against Lowly Cubs, Magic Number Is 24

Dodgers Lineup vs. Chicago

Jake Arrieta-2-3 vs. Zack Greinke-12-3

Last night’s game was pretty gross, but no grosser than my mediocre recap. I must admit, I provided a snoozer of a losscap last evening. But I could also argue that a crappy game deserved an equally crappy losscap. (shrugs the shoulders in the most shoulderian way) Service is my life guys, really it is. I kid, I kid.

The Chicago Cubs come into town to kick off a three game series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium starting tonight. Tomorrow’s giveaway will feature the Rick Monday saving the flag bobblehead. The Dodgers just suffered their first series loss since mid June after dropping two of three to the Red Sox, last night was an ugly 8-1 loss at the hands of the despicably annoying Jake Peavy. The constant thorn in the Dodger’s side limited the Boys in Blue to one run on three hits through nine frames. Chris Capuano served up three runs on six hits in five innings, and the Red Sox hit three home runs in last night’s match. One off of Chris Withrow, one off of Carlos Marmol, and one more off the atrocious Brandon League to really put the game away.

Birdman runs the bases-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

So we turn the page and welcome the Cubs into town, because consecutive series against the Cubs and Padres to end the home stand is a good way for the Dodgers to get well again. This has been a tough week for the Dodgers. They’ve gone 4-4 over their last eight games, which includes two losses on the last road trip, and two on this home stand already. Yasiel Puig is slumping a bit, but the Dodgers are very close to the finish line.

The Cubs are terrible, and we know this. So the Dodgers should take two of three. No offense to the Cubs, but they’re bad. They’re the Cubs. The Cubs are 20 games below .500 with a record of 55-75 and last place in the NL Central. They’re in rebuilding mode to put it kindly, and they just traded David De Jesus to the Nationals, so they don’t even have him. However, the games still have to be played, and even the worst teams can beat the best teams on any given day. You know what I mean. Plus we have to unfortunatly look at the pudgy former Dodger catcher Dioner Navarro. He is quite portly. 

“It’s not bad luck, the Cubs just suck….nah nah nah Hey Chicago you’re team just sucks….nah nah nah Cubs just suck”….oh sorry guys, I still have that song in my head.

Jake Arrieta-Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The pitching match-up for tonight pits Jake Arietta against right hander Zack Greinke. Arrieta a right hander, came over from Baltimore, but the Dodgers last faced him when he was still an Oriole back on April 21. Arrieta lost that game after giving up five earned runs on two hits. He walked five in that game and whiffed six, but lost 7-4. Then he was traded to the Cubs, but hasn’t seen much time in the rotation. Arrieta is 0-1 against the Dodgers, and 2-2 on the season. He has a 5.75 ERA and a 3.71 ERA with the Cubs in three starts. Arrieta’s control problems have kept him from progressing. His 5.8/9 walk rate has been a big problem. The Dodgers are hitting .324 against Arrieta. Check out the rest of the stats versus Arrieta below.

PA

AB

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

OBP

SLG

13

12

5

1

0

1

2

1

0

.417

.462

.750

10

8

4

1

0

1

2

2

2

.500

.600

1.000

6

3

1

0

0

0

3

2

2

.333

.500

.333

6

6

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

.167

.167

.167

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.000

.000

.000

2

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

.000

.500

.000

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

2

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

.000

.500

.000

2

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1.000

1.000

1.000

Total

46

37

12

2

0

2

8

8

6

.324

.435

.541

The Dodgers will give the ball to Zack Greinke. Our feathered friend has been on a roll, and not of the dinner variety. Greinke’s last start was a dominating eight inning win against Miami. Greinke has won nine of his last ten decisions. Overall he is 12-3 with a 2.91 ERA. Greinke ha103 whiffs and 37 walks thus far, and has been very dominating over the last two months. Greinke’s numbers against the Cubs are more pedestrian, 3-2 record, 4.45 ERA, 17 runs allowed in 30 frames. Although 43 whiffs and ten walks is very good. Also note that Greinke is dominant at home. He is 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA at Dodger Stadium this season. The Cubs haven’t done much against Greinke, just 10 for 37 with a .792 OPS. Check it out below. Let’s not forget that Greinke is one of the best hitting pitchers in the majors. He’s hitting .333 (15 for 45) He has two doubles and five walks.

PA

AB

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

OBP

SLG

15

12

4

2

0

0

2

3

1

.333

.467

.500

11

9

2

1

0

0

1

2

0

.222

.364

.333

8

6

2

0

1

0

1

2

3

.333

.500

.667

6

6

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

.333

.333

.333

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.000

.000

.000

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

Total

44

37

10

3

1

0

4

7

6

.270

.386

.405

The Dodgers have fallen into a bad habit this week of falling behind early in games. Regardless, they’re still in a great position right now. The magic number for them to win the NL West is now at 24. So any combination of 24 Dodger wins, or 24 Arizona losses, and we raise the flag. The Dodgers are 76-54 on the season and 9.5 games ahead in the NL West. Catch the game tonight at 7:10 PM on Prime Ticket. We’ll have our usual post game recap after the game. Go Blue.