Brett “Rain Man” Anderson Faces Carlos Martinez in Rubber Game

The Dodgers finally did what many thought could never be done on Saturday night at Busch Stadium. They defeated their 2013 NLCS nemesis Michael Wacha, and the Cardinals, snapping their 42 inning road scoreless streak in the process. Not only was that the first time the Dodgers have ever beaten Wacha, but they handed him his first loss of the year.

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Wacha was 7-0 before the Dodger’s 5-1 victory last night. A four-run sixth inning rally fueled the Dodgers come from behind win. With a 12-pitch at-bat from Adrian Gonzalez, an RBI single from Howie Kendrick, a booming three-run home run from Yasmani Grandal, a solid start from Carlos Frias, and a little help from Papi and the Atlanta Braves, vaulted the Dodgers over the Giants and back into first place in the National League West.

Perhaps Juan Uribe is still protecting us as he went 3 for 5 against Tim Lincecum during late Saturday evening’s 8-0 win. Uribe even added a home run in the ninth to seal the deal for the Braves, as they snapped the Giants five game winning streak. Even while playing for another club, Uribe is still watching over the Dodgers. Is Uribe the Dodger’s guardian angel from afar?

Uribe Homer

Dodgers Lineup @ St. Louis

Pederson CF

Callaspo 3B

Gonzalez 1B

Kendrick 2B

Ethier RF

Grandal C

Guerrero LF

Rollins SS

Anderson P

Brett Anderson-2-2 vs. Carlos Martinez-4-2

Game Time – 11:15 AM

It wasn’t just Wacha running out of gas in the sixth inning, or Uribe’s mystical protection. Don Mattingly finally changed around the lineup, and it yielded good results. Jimmy Rollins was finally dropped down to the eighth spot in the order. I recently wrote about how that was the best thing for the Dodger’s offense. Justin Turner was moved up to the two-hole, and Adrian Gonzalez was moved back to the number three spot. Perhaps the biggest reason of all was the return of Grandal. I think we forget just how important he is to the Dodger’s success. 

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Sunday morning, (weather permitting) the Dodgers will go for a series win. The Dodgers have not won a series at St. Louis since August of 2013. This time they will turn the ball over to rain man Brett Anderson. This is Anderson’s tenth start of the season. He is 2-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 49.1 innings pitched. He’s stuck out 34, and walked just 11. Anderson has been very good this month. In the month of May, the left hander is 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched. Anderson is 1-2 with a 4.22 ERA away from Dodger Stadium. Anderson has never faced the Cardinals. Only two current Cardinals have ever faced him, (Peralta, Bourjos) and they are batting .150 (3 for 20) with one home run.

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The Cardinals will counter with Dominican right hander Carlos Martinez. The 23-year old has made nine starts as well, and is 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA. In 53.1 innings pitched, he’s struck out 56, and walked 24. He’s posted a 9.5 whiff per nine rate. The hard thrower has allowed seven home runs, and an 8.3 hits per nine rate.

Against the Dodgers he is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA. The Dodgers have only five hits against him, and are batting .161 (5 for 31) with one home run, and five runs batted in. Surprisingly A.J. Ellis has hit the only home run. Andre Ethier has tripled off of Martinez for the only other extra-base hit. Before the game the Cardinals will be honoring Oscar Taverez. Martinez honors his friend by wearing his number 18.

We’ll see how much rain they get tomorrow in St. Louis, but it Anderson is on the mound you can probably expect a down pour. Talking about Brett Anderson and rain never stops being funny. After the game the Dodgers will travel to Denver for a four game series against Colorado. Jason will bring you the call today, so come on over here after the game.

Last night’s exciting victory energized the Dodgers, and gave us something we haven’t felt since April….hope. It feels good to be back in first place. Let’s keep it that way, and let’s send Joe Buck back home depressed again. Knowing that Buck is going to be sad all day on Monday is wonderful.

Go Blue!