Dodgers Pregame: Carlos Frias Versus Mike Fiers in Game Four Finale

The Dodgers could never make a comeback after the five-run implosion by spot starter Joe Wieland on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. The Dodgers continue to have their troubles on the road, and they are now 4-8 when not at Dodger Stadium. Although this Milwaukee series has been a shaky one at times, the Dodgers are still three games ahead of San Diego in the division. With another two homeruns hit by rookie phenom Joc Pederson in Game 3, the Dodgers now have accumulated 44 homeruns through 27 games played.

Carlos Frias (2-0, 0.00) vs. Mike Fiers (1-3, 4.74)

The starting rotation is the weakest part of this Dodger team, and a setback by Hyun-jin Ryu has me all sorts of concerned about the rest of the season and who will be pitching. The Dodgers have already used a plethora of starters including David Huff, Carlos Frias, Mike Bolsinger, Joe Wieland and Scott Baker with less than stellar results at times.

Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger seemed to be the strongest contenders to win a spot in the rotation with Brandon McCarthy done for the season and Ryu’s return in question. Frias, who has been slotted into the rotation at least temporarily, has pitched well thus far. The 25-year old hurler has yet to allow a run through 7 2/3 innings pitched over 3 games (1 start). In his first start, Frias picked up the win over the D-backs after pitching 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball with some help from the Dodgers offense.

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Frias has no record against the Brewers, but he has a 7.50 ERA against them in 3 relief appearances. He only has pitched one time at Miller Park, and he allowed 3 runs on 2 hits in just 1 inning. He’ll have to be very careful around Carlos Gomez who hit a homerun against Frias last season.

Lineup:

Pederson CF
Grandal C
Kendrick 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Guerrero LF
Ethier RF
Uribe 3B
Hernandez SA
Frias P

Mike Fiers, the 29-year old right-hander, picked up his first victory of the season last time out against the Cubs. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits with an impressive 12 strikeouts and 2 walks. Against the Dodgers, Fiers is 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in 3 games (2 starts). Adrian Gonzalez has hit a homerun against him in the past.

Carlos Frias has not allowed a run so far this season with the Dodgers. Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of homeruns…The Dodgers still lead the majors with 44 homeruns. Todd Frazier of Cincinnati is tied in first place in the league with Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson who all have hit 9 homeruns. Gonzalez and Pederson are also at the top of the NL leader board in slugging (.752 for Gonzo and .667 for Joc).

It’s hard for me to complain about a first place team hitting the most homeruns in the majors, but the starting pitching is quite concerning. I want the Dodgers to not only win now, but I also want them to go deep into October with enough starting pitching depth beyond Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. The Dodgers have always prided themselves with excellence in pitching, and it just seems like it’s been disappointing this season to lose Ryu for a long time and have the first big signing by the new front office to fail (Brandon McCarthy).

Roster move: The Dodgers optioned Joe Wieland to AAA and recalled outfielder Chris Heisey.

Here’s to more Dodger homeruns and less sausage runs.

Go Blue!