Dodgers Pregame: Zack Greinke is Like Good and Stuff

Friday night’s Dodger win over the Rockies had all the narratives which we love. Clayton Kershaw was looking like his Cy Young self, and he finally picked up that elusive 100th career victory. Jimmy Rollins had a great slumpbusting night, and the veteran shortstop was just shy a triple to hit for the cycle. The real highlight of the night came in the eighth inning when Kenley Jansen made his triumphant return to the mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time since the 2014 NLDS. Kenley made history by striking out four batters in the scoreless inning thanks to a passed ball by Yasmani Grandal. I have missed you, Kenley.

Zack Greinke (5-0, 1.52) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (0-2, 9.56)

The Dodgers evened up the four-game series against the Rockies, and they will be looking for another victory against the last place team on Saturday night with their ace on the mound. Zack Greinke IS the ace right now. He’s pitched fantastically well in his first 7 starts to the season. He has a MLB-best 1.52 ERA, and the opposition is only hitting .168 against the right-hander. Greinke will be going for his sixth win on the season, and he has yet to lose a game.

Last time out against the Marlins, Greinke wasn’t involved in the decision after pitching 7 innings and allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks on 91 pitches. The Dodgers have won every game Greinke has started this season except his first start of the year against the Padres on the second day of the season. The quirky pitcher is 7-2 against the Rockies with a 3.57 ERA in 15 career games. He’s already defeated the Rockies once this season on April 18th.

Greinke is not only the ERA leader in the majors, but his H/9 has dropped from 8.5 in 2014 to 5.9 going into Saturday’s game. He leads the majors in WHIP (0.887) as well. His FIP is at 3.09 which is below his career 3.37 mark. He’s only allowed 8 earned runs all season.

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At Dodger Stadium, Greinke has been dominant. He is 21-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 34 career starts. He probably won’t have to worry about Troy Tulowitzki on Saturday since the fragile shortstop had to exit Friday’s game with a quad injury. He’ll have to be wary of Carlos Gonzalez of course who has hit 2 homeruns off Greinke.

Lineup:

Hernandez CF

Rollins SS

Kendrick 2B

Turner 1B

Guerrero LF

Van Slyke RF

Uribe 3B

Ellis C

Greinke P

The Dodgers will have to face Jorge De La Rosa again who has yet to notch a win this season. Six days ago, the Dodgers collected 5 runs on 5 hits in 4 innings against the lefty and won 9-5. He is 5-10 with a 5.89 ERA against the Dodgers in 22 career games (18 starts). At Dodger Stadium, De La Rosa is 1-5 with a 4.84 ERA in 11 career games (8 starts). Adrian Gonzalez has hit 3 homeruns against the southpaw and has 17 hits in 55 plate appearances.

Before Saturday’s regularly scheduled game, the Old-Timers Game will be played at Dodger Stadium. Sandy Koufax will make an appearance. This year the Dodgers will honor the great 1955 and 1965 Dodger teams.

Walt Weiss will likely return to the dugout for the Rockies on Saturday. The Colorado skipper missed three games after having an appendectomy on Wednesday.

With Kenley Jansen back on the mound (there’s no reason why Jansen cannot pitch the ninth inning) and the Dodgers offense on pace for historical numbers, the outlook for 2015 is golden. This Dodger team is racking up hits like nobody’s business, and it’s really enjoyably to watch. It’s a long way before we can compare this team to magical teams like the 1927 Yankees, but it’s still fun to think about things like that. With possible roster bolstering moves down the stretch and the addition of Brandon Beachy, Brandon League, Hyun-jin Ryu and possibly Ross Stripling once they are healthy, this Dodger team could be a tour de force.

I can’t wait to celebrate in #Joctober with California Love blasting on my stereo.

Go Blue!

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