Bauer Versus Ryu in Series Finale

The Dodgers stumbled on Tuesday evening. After pulling out a nail-biting 1-0 victory on Monday, the Dodgers were blown out in a 10-3 loss to the Tribe on Tuesday and coupled with a Giant’s win, fell out of first place. Spilled milk of course. Games like that happen. Josh Beckett was hampered by a sore hip and the Dodgers couldn’t do anything with runners in scoring position, failing to win their fourth consecutive game for the seventh time this season. The Dodgers hope to get back on track on Wednesday as Hyun-jin Ryu battles UCLA star Trevor Bauer in the rubber game and home stand finale. Today’s game will be a rare mid week afternoon businessman’s special. So play hooky from school! Sneak out of work. Tell your boss you are sick. It’s midweek lunch time Dodger Baseball!

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers Lineup vs. Cleveland

Gordon 2B

Ellis C

Ethier CF

Kemp LF

Robinson 1B

Van Slyke RF

Rojas SS

Triunfel 3B

Ryu P

Trevor Bauer-2-4 vs. Hyun-jin Ryu-9-4

Bauer was a UCLA star before he reached the majors. The 23-year old North Hollywood native was originally drafted by the Dbacks but was then traded to Cleveland as part of a three team trade with the Snakes and the reds back in the winter of 2012.

The young right hander is having an alright season. He is 2-4 with a 4.39 ERA. He’s whiffed 52 and walked 20 in 53 innings. But allowing too many base-runners has hurt him. His 9.8 hits per nine has led to a WHIP of 1.4.

The Dodgers have seen Bauer from his days when he was with the Snakes. Bauer only made one start against the Dodgers and he beat them by throwing six shutout innings and six whiffs. Bauer has been terrible pitching away from Progressive field this year. He is 0-5 with a 6.94 ERA on the road. None of the current Dodgers have ever faced him. The kid throws a good fastball, and has a decent breaking ball but he just hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. Hopefully he waits until he’s out of Dodger Stadium before he figures it out.

The Dodgers will counter with Hyun-jin Ryu. For Ryu, he’ll be looking for his tenth win. Last time out he got beat up by the Cardinals, to the tune of three earned runs in nine hits across six frames. But the problem with Ryu is that he rarely pitches past the sixth inning these days. He seems to tire out by then.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Ryu still has been very good this year. He is 9-4 with a 3.12 ERA in his 15 starts. He’s whiffed and issued just 19 walks in 89 frames. Ryu of course has never faced the Tribe. He us 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA at Dodger Stadium all time.

The Dodgers will be looking to take back first place. Despite losing last night, the Dodgers still have won 11 of their last 15 games. The Dodgers are 48-38 and a half a game back of the Giants in the NL West race. After the game the Dodgers will hit the road for a four game series in the house of horrors that is Coors Field.

We’ll be back after the game to fill in everyone who couldn’t get out of work on what they missed. Maybe we’ll see another weird triple play? See what you miss when you stay at the office instead of watching Dodger Baseball?

Game Time 12:10 PM

Go Blue!