Cincinnati @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2013 ) Cincinnati 1, LA Dodgers 4
The Los Angeles Dodgers eye their eight series win in 11 tries on Sunday, when they complete a four-game home set against the Cincinnati Reds. The Dodgers, who haven’t lost a series since mid-June, improved to 8-1 since the All-Star break with Saturday’s victory and are a major league-best 25-6 since June 22. Hanley Ramirez has been instrumental in both extended runs, collecting hits in all nine second-half contests while batting .385 with 26 RBIs over the team’s last 31 games.
The Reds won six of their first eight coming out of the break – including the series opener – but have since been silenced by Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu. They’ll face another left-hander in Chris Capuano in the finale, although few hitters have enjoyed seeing southpaws more than Jay Bruce. The two-time All-Star, who has gone deep 42 times against left-handers since 2010 – the most by a left-handed hitter in that time, is 3-for-11 with two home runs in this series while his teammates are 15-for-83 with one homer.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Tony Cingrani (4-1, 3.18 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (3-6, 5.03)
Named the Reds’ 26th man prior to Tuesday’s doubleheader, Cingrani yielded two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings to get the win during the first game of a twinbill against the San Francisco Giants. The left-hander, who was sent back down to the minors following the game, threw a career-high 118 pitches in the outing. Cingrani, who will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career, likely will need to exhibit better command after walking 18 batters over his last 27 1/3 innings.
Capuano struggled against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday but did not factor in the decision despite giving up five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 34-year-old has allowed five earned runs in three of his last four turns and is 2-4 with a 6.91 ERA in six home outings. He hasn’t fared much better in 16 career appearances (13 starts) against the Reds, going 3-3 with a 4.92 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ramirez has reached base in 35 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the majors after Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto saw his run end at 38 contests on Saturday.
2. Los Angeles LF Carl Crawford was sent to the emergency room with a high fever Saturday. Skip Schumaker, who replaced him in the lineup and homered, is the only Dodger ever to face Cingrani.
3. Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig has recorded two or more hits in 22 of his 47 career games and is batting .440 in 23 home contests.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Reds 4