Cincinnati @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2013 ) Cincinnati 5, LA Dodgers 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t fare well in their first home game in sole possession of first place in the National League West, but look to turn it around Friday when they continue their four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. The Dodgers entered this series with wins in 23 of their previous 28 contests -- including six straight on the road -- to overtake the Arizona Diamondbacks in the division. However, Los Angeles’ offense managed only a pair of RBI groundouts as Cincinnati took the opener.
The Reds are 6-2 since the Midsummer Classic following their victory Thursday. Ex-Dodgers Xavier Paul and Cesar Izturis provided some early offense against their former team as Cincinnati improved to 4-1 during its 11-game West Coast road trip. Shortstop Zack Cozart, who is battling a sore hip but plans to return to the lineup Friday, is hitting .351 over his last 10 games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (5-9, 3.84 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (9-6, 2.01)
Since tossing his second career no-hitter July 2, Bailey has surrendered 11 runs and 27 hits over 17 innings, leading to an 0-3 record and 5.82 ERA. The right-hander fanned a career-high 12 but took the loss in Sunday’s 3-2 setback to the Pittsburgh Pirates after giving up three runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. Bailey is 2-7 with a 4.74 ERA away from home this season and 3-2 with a 4.54 ERA in six career outings against Los Angeles.
Kershaw won for the fourth time in five starts after yielding two runs and two hits – both on home runs from Jayson Werth – over seven frames during Sunday’s 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. The three-time All-Star, who leads the majors in ERA and ranks second in the NL with 148 strikeouts, has lasted at least six innings in 16 consecutive starts. In seven all-time starts against the Reds, Kershaw is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles (49) and Cincinnati (48) lead the majors in runs following the All-Star break.
2. Dodgers rookie RF Yasiel Puig, who is batting .461 in 21 home contests, has 21 multi-hit efforts in 45 career games.
3. Reds 3B Todd Frazier is 13-for-32 with six doubles during his eight-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Reds 2