Bolsinger vs. Shields in Rubber Game

After an ugly win on Friday (a win is a win though) the Dodger offense completely stalled out again on Saturday evening against Ian Kennedy which ended in a frustrating 2-1 loss at San Diego that tied the series for the Padres. The usual formula for the loss was as bland as your morning bowl of cheerios. You know the usual Dodger loss, falling behind early, no offense, and usually a late run or two allowed by the bullpen. This time though it was surprisingly Zack Greinke instead of the Dodger bullpen that allowed the eighth inning home run to devil man Justin Upton that sealed the game.

Dodgers Lineup @ San Diego

Pederson CF

Puig RF

Gonzalez 1B

Kendrick 2B

Grandal C

Ethier LF

Rollins SS

Callaspo 3B

Bolsinger P

Mike Bolsinger-4-1 vs. James Shields-7-0

Game Time – 1:05 PM

Normally the Dodgers are always losing early. In the first inning of games the Dodger’s opponents are batting .298, and the pitching staff has a 5.23 ERA in the first inning of ball games this year. When the club is behind the Dodgers are hitting just .246/.309/.415. The Dodgers have come from behind more than they did in 2014, but the problem of falling behind in games is still there. It’s interesting how some of the old problems from last year are still plaguing the team.

Wait, the dugouts are this way?-Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of that early run allowed in the first inning on Saturday night. It was cheap. The Dodgers basically gave Will Venable a gift double because the infield and outfield were both overshifted. If the infield is playing at normal depth, that’s a ground out to second base. Which brings me to my point, I hate the shift. The Dodgers need to stop doing it. It rarely if ever works, and there is little to no data that supports that it does. Just because numbers suggest that a hitter pulls the ball more than he goes the other way, doesn’t mean he’s going to pull the ball on that particular at-bat. Anything can happen on any one at-bat in any game. The constant shifting is hurting the club, and last night was another example. Stop doing it!

Tonight crafty right hander Mike Bolsinger will take on James Shields in the rubber game. Bolsinger completely shut down the Padres the last time he faced them at Dodger Stadium. In that game he threw eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and retired 23 batters in a row. Bolsinger has been very good for the Dodgers, despite not having a blazing fastball. He’s credited an improved mental approach and maturity for his recent string of success. Bolsinger is 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA this season. Bolsinger is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his career against the Padres, and 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA at Petco Park. What stands out most to me about Bolsinger is that he has allowed just 6.2 hits per nine innings this year. The Padres are batting just .129 (4 for 31) against him with just one extra-base hit.

San Diego will counter with James Shields. The Dodgers saw him on opening day. He got a no-decision in that game in which the Dodgers won. He allowed two earned runs on six hits over six frames and struck out eight in that game. Then he defeated the Dodgers on May 24, with seven innings and three earned runs allowed in a game the Dodgers lost 11-3.

Shields has not lost yet this season. He is 7-0 with a 3.79 ERA, and 98 strikeouts in a little over 80 innings pitched. He’s been very impressive, and now has the second longest winning streak to start a season in San Diego history. Andy Hawkins went 11-0 to start the 1985 season. Shields is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA against the Dodgers all time. The current Dodgers have hit him well though. The Dodgers are batting .305 (43 for 141) with 5 home runs and 16 runs batted in. They have an. 850 OPS against Shields, and four different Dodgers have taken him deep.

Howie Kendrick is batting .457 (16 for 35) with four doubles, two triples, and a home run against him. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .333 (10 for 30) with two home runs. Jimmy Rollins is hitting .412 (7 for 17) with a homer against Shields.

Justin Upton continues to make like very miserable for the boys in blue. He’s been doing it for years.

State of the day-Upton is hitting .275 with five home runs and an OPS over a 1.000 against the Dodgers in 2015.

After the game the Dodgers will fly to Arlington to face the Rangers for a home and home series. Two games played in Texas, and then two at Dodger Stadium. Then they play a huge series with the Giants. The Dodgers are currently 2.5 games in front of their pumpkin colored foes in the National League West. On a dorkier note, take a look below at what San Diego first base coash Jose Valentin is doing after Upton hit the home run last night in the eighth inning? Is that some kind of salsa dance? What a dork.

What the hell is Valentine doing? an Ole? Lame!-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Help is on the way for the Dodgers. A huge group of Dodgers are rehabbing down in Rancho. Scott Van Slyke, Joel Peralta, Brandon League, Brandon Beachy, and Paco Rodriguez are all down there preparing for their returns. League is scheduled to be activated on June 24.

Things should take off dramatically once the cavalry arrives. Until then the Dodgers will just have to hold down the fort. Now score some runs today boys!

Go Blue!