Dodgers Winning Streak: Brandon McCarthy and Lucky Number 7

After being on the softball fields with my daughter all day for a doubleheader, I came home to enjoy Zack Greinke on the mound for the Dodgers Saturday evening. It was a gorgeous Spring day in L.A., and things got emotional when Vin Scully’s 65th anniversary was celebrated at Dodger Stadium. Thank you Vin Scully for all your beautiful broadcasts.

Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 6.75) vs. Eddie Butler (1-0, 1.64)

The first place Dodgers…ahhh that feels good to write…will be not only going for their eighth consecutive win on Sunday but also their second three-game sweep in a row. The offense has been spectacular, the defense has been stellar and the bullpen has been surprisingly good.

Remember when the Dodgers couldn’t string three wins in a row last season? Either can I.

Kenly Jansen will be back in May and threw off the mound on Saturday for the first time since his foot surgery in February. Hopefully Hyun-jin Ryu is healthy soon. The Dodgers have been getting along fine without their elite closer and third-best starter, and there’s a lot to be excited for this season.

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Even though the starting pitching has been inconsistent (and Dodger Stadium has oddly turned into a hitter’s park somehow), the offense has been able to churn out the runs even in late innings in order to wage thrilling comebacks when needed. The bases loaded curse looks to be over, Dodger fans.

With all of this offense, it is ironic that the bubble machine is gone and Yasiel Puig has toned down the bat flips.

Limping. Yasiel Puig was hittin’ and hurtin’ on Saturday night. Puig’s hamstring looked like it was bothering him, and I hope they won’t continue to play him if he’s hurt. Carl Crawford was also missing from the lineup, because he was sick.

Lineup:

Brandon McCarthy is coming off of one of the most lop-sided starts in history. McCarthy struck out 10 Seattle batters, but he also gave up 4 homeruns in the game. The Dodgers went on to defeat the Mariners, but McCarthy wasn’t involved in the decision. McCarthy has never beat the Rockies, and he is 0-2 against Colorado with a 6.75 ERA with 5 homeruns allowed in 4 career starts. McCarthy will have to pitch carefully to noted Colorado sluggers Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, but he will also have to be careful with third baseman Nolan Arenado who has hit 2 homeruns off McCarthy in the past.

Let me pause to say that Nolan Arenado is ridiculous at third base.

The Rockies will counter with 24-year old right-hander Eddie Butler. In his last start against the Giants, Butler picked up his first win of the season. He didn’t allow a run over 5 1/3 innings, but he did walk 6 batters. Overall in 2 starts against the Dodgers, Butler is 0-1 with a 9.90 ERA. He’s allowed 18 hits to the Dodger in 10 innings pitched against them. This will be his second career start at Dodger Stadium.

Adrian Gonzalez has hit a homerun against Butler, and Justin Turner has 4 hits against him in 5 at bats. Perhaps we will see a Justin Turner start on Sunday.