Freeway Series Heads to Orange County; Juan Uribe Loved in Every Zip Code

The Dodgers walked off with the win on Tuesday night thanks to an errant throw by David Freese. A win is a win, and the Dodgers gladly took the victory to tie up the series. The Angels are always a tough team to beat for the Dodgers, and even Clayton Kershaw was stung by their aggressive bats early on. Juan Uribe‘s huge three-run homerun gave the Dodgers the lead for the first time in the series, although the bubble machine was eerily quiet in the dugout. Nevertheless, we were all celebrating with Uribe as he blasted his first homerun since July 8th.

Dan Haren (8-9, 4.76)  vs. Matt Shoemaker (9-3, 4.09)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Puig CF

Gonzalez 1B

Hanley SS

Kemp DH

Crawford LF

Ethier RF

Turner 2B

Ellis C

Clayton Kershaw can’t be expected to be perfect, yet his fierce competitiveness doesn’t allow him to give up even when he’s not at his sharpest. The Dodgers, fueled by vintage Matt Kemp, have been able to lift their struggling pitchers when needed at time this season. The real test will be whether the offense can overcome another Dan Haren start… in Anaheim.

MLB doesn’t like fun. Dodgers’ bubble machine is silenced. Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Haren can’t possibly be that bad tonight, right? I mean he played in Anaheim for three seasons. Heck, in 2011 he won 16 games for the Halos. The thing is Haren is deep into a five-game losing streak. He hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning in that span, and he’s allowed 6 homeruns in those five horrendous starts. Last time out against the Cubs, Haren only lasted through 4 1/3 innings while allowing 7 runs on 8 hits. Haren is 19-18 at Angel Stadium with a 3.25 ERA in 45 career games (44 starts). He’s allowed 32 homers at the Big A in those 45 games which is not exactly confidence boosting. Against the Angels, he is 3-6 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 starts. Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols have both hit homeruns against Haren in the past, but Mike Trout has yet to face him.

What is more discerning than the impending Haren start, is that apparently the Dodgers’ bubble machine has been ordered by the MLB to be silenced:

Way to take the fun out of everything, MLB. While Juan Uribe’s homerun on Tuesday night generated their own fireworks, the bubble machine sitting empty and alone in the dugout just didn’t seem right. Dodger fans have the right to celebrate with bubbles and empanadas! Fight for your right to blow bubbles!

Matt Shoemaker will be looking to win his tenth game for the Angels. The 27-year old right-hander beat the Rays in his last start

Matt Shoemaker looking Brian Wilson-like. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

going 5 innings and allowing 3 runs on 8 hits with 1 strikeout and no walks. This will be Shoemaker’s first career start against the Dodgers. None of the current Dodgers have ever faced Shoemaker.

With a 2 1/2 game lead in the NL West, the Dodgers would love to add to that with a win against the Angels on Wednesday evening. Perhaps the pendulum is going to sway in the Dodgers favor in Game 3 after Game 1 was a Angel shutout led by Garrett Richards. Tuesday’s back-and-forth game was more in tune with the rivalry-like feel the series has had. It won’t be easy. The Dodgers have lost 19 of their last 26 games against the Angels in Anaheim. They are 16-32 in Interleague play against the Angels at Anaheim.

Prediction: No bubbles? No Problem. Adrian Gonzalez blasts a homerun against Shoemaker.

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Call to the Pen

The Dodgers will be looking to Haren to at least go longer than four frames. With the recent injuries to relievers Paul Maholm, Chris Perez and Paco Rodriguez, the Dodgers bullpen has become younger yet more inexperienced with the additions of Pedro Baez and Carlos Frias to the mix.

Check back here for all our postgame Puiglights and analysis.

Go Blue!