Cincinnati @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 26, 2013 ) Cincinnati 1, LA Dodgers 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers own the majors’ best offense since the All-Star break, but the Cincinnati Reds have done a fine job keeping the hosts in check as the teams continue their four-game series Saturday. The Dodgers scored 47 runs during their 6-0 road trip after the break, but tallied only two runs in each of their two games against the Reds. Clayton Kershaw made it stand up Friday and Hyun-Jin Ryu could do the same Saturday considering his recent success at home.
The Reds have also been proficient offensively since the Midsummer Classic with 49 runs, but managed only one Friday to fall to 4-2 during their 11-game West Coast road trip. Cincinnati had its chances to mount more offense against Kershaw, but went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Reds could be in for another long night against Ryu, who has not dropped a decision at home since his major-league debut April 2.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (9-7, 3.19 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (8-3, 3.25)
Arroyo notched his second complete game of the season and sixth career shutout in Monday’s 11-0 road victory over the San Francisco Giants. The 36-year-old scattered seven hits – all singles – and struck out six to improve to 3-5 with a 4.13 ERA in eight turns away from home. Arroyo, who has posted eight quality starts over his last nine outings, is 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in six career starts at Dodger Stadium.
Ryu, making his third consecutive road start, extended his unbeaten streak to five games despite allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in Monday’s 14-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The rookie is 4-1 with 1.90 ERA in nine home outings, yielding three runs or fewer in all of them. Ryu, who will face the Reds for the first time, has thrown at least 100 pitches in 16 of his 19 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has reached base in a major league-high 38 straight games. Los Angeles SS Hanley Ramirez holds the second-longest active streak at 34.
2. Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Reds RF Jay Bruce leads all left-handed batters with 41 home runs against southpaws - including seven in 2013.
3. The Dodgers have won seven of Ryu’s last eight home starts.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Reds 2