Series Win Still in Sight for Dodgers, Division Title Waits

Ricky Nolasco (13-9, 3.14) vs. Tim Lincecum (9-13, 4.40)

Lineup: 

Puig CF

Crawford LF

Gonzalez 1B

Uribe 3B

M. Ellis 2B

Schumaker RF

FedEx C

Punto SS

Nolasco P

The Dodgers dropped game two versus the Giants on Friday night. Clayton Kershaw allowed

Ricky Nolasco has been dynamite as a Dodger so far. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

three runs yet his season ERA still sits at 1.94. The Dodger offense couldn’t muster much of anything off of Madison Bumgarner who is always tough to face for the Dodgers. Juan Uribe‘s 11th homerun, a two-run shot, was the offensive highlight of the night from the Dodgers. Annoying Hunter Pence hit a homerun off Withrow in the eighth inning to the opposite field. The Dodgers and Giants continue the four-game set with game three on Saturday.

Injuries. Theyyyy’rrrre baaaaackkkk! Yes, the injury bug has returned. Hanley Ramirez is unable to play until next week and is suffering from nerve irritation in his back. Hanley had a MRI and cortisone treatment on Friday. Andre Ethier left game two in the eighth inning after limping out of a double. Ethier has been battling a sore ankle recently, but it is unclear whether that what was bothering him. Losing Ethier and Hanley is pretty harsh. The Dodgers will not make it far into the postseason without both of those key Dodgers.

Even though the Dodgers lost to the Giants on Friday in front of a sold out crowd, they still decrease their *Magic Number to 4* thanks to a Arizona loss to Colorado.

Tim Lincecum usually pitches well against the Dodgers, but he’s had two bad seasons. Photo: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Nolasco has gone 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 12 starts since becoming a Dodger. Nolasco has embraced his hometown atmosphere in Southern California, and leaving Miami seemed to revitalize him. Nolasco hasn’t lost a game since July 14th versus Colorado. He has won four in a row, and he looks to defeat rival San Francisco in game three. Last time out against Arizona, Ricky pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed 1 run on 3 hits with 6 strikeouts and a walk. Nolasco faced the Giants back in June when he was still a Marlin. He allowed 3 runs on 9 hits in the no-decision. This will be Nolasco’s first start against the Giants wearing Dodger Blue. The right-hander is 5-3 with a 2.09 against the Giants over his career.  He’s allowed homeruns to Nate Schierholtz and Pablo Sandoval in the past.

Sure Tim Lincecum pitched that no-hitter back in July. It was against the Padres. He made an eye-popping 148 pitches, but his tenacity paid off in the end. Lincecum is having another bad year, and his strikeouts are lower than ever. Last time out against Colorado, Timmy went 8 innings while allowing 2 runs on 7 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk in the no-decision. The Dodgers faced Lincecum back in the Opening Series on April 3rd, and the Dodgers lost. Lincecum only allowed 2 runs on 3 hits. The Dodgers saw Lincecum a second time on June 26th at Dodger Stadium. Lincecum got shelled and allowed 4 runs on 10 hits in the Dodger win. The right-hander is 8-6 with a 2.86 ERA against the Dodgers over his career. He’s struck out 128 Dodgers. At Dodger Stadium he is 4-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 12 games (11 starts). The last Dodger to hit a homerun against Tim Lincecum was Adam Kennedy in 2012.

Tune into 6:10 p.m. on Prime Ticket. Scott and I will be attending the game, so check back for the recap and photos.

Go Blue!