Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak Selections — May 8
By Jason Reed
If the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to get hot this season it is now or never. Hopefully, the team does, so it helps our Dodgers Beat the Streak.
Seemingly every year we see a slow start from the Los Angeles Dodgers turn into a red-hot summer that results in the team winning the NL West. This year, the slow start has been accompanied with injuries to the three best players on the roster; Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
This year is different from past years and it is going to be much harder for the Los Angeles Dodgers to pick up the slack. Not only are those stars missing alongside other players, some players are producing on a much lower level than they are capable of.
Chris Taylor is looking “meh”, Yasiel Puig and Logan Forsythe were tremendously cold before hitting the DL, the bullpen hasn’t been great and Alex Wood and Rich Hill have left much desired as starters.
It is now or never if the Dodgers are going to get hot. And even if they don’t we will continue our Dodgers Beat the Streak. Let’s hop into Sunday’s picks.
Sunday’s picks:
The Dodgers wrapped up the Mexico Series with a series loss to the San Diego Padres despite no-hitting the team in game one.
In the series finale, the Dodgers could not score a single run despite getting nine hits on the night. Three of those nine hits in the game from Matt Kemp, who has undoubtedly been the best hitter on the Dodgers. In doing so, Kemp started Sarah’s streak back up.
My pick, Alex Verdugo, did not have the same fortune. The rookie went 0-4 on the night, failing to provide the spark that many were hoping he would after being called up. He left three men on base.
Sarah’s pick (Current streak: One): Chris Taylor
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My pick for today is Chris Taylor. I don’t have a specific reason for picking Taylor, no statistical proof, but that’s why he’s my choice for tonight. The Diamondbacks have proved that they, above any other team, are going to challenge the Dodgers this season.
I’m a big believer in stats. I love how and what they measure at a given time. Then again, they aren’t always the answer to questions brought upon by a certain player or team. A pitcher with a 7.00 ERA could pitch a no-hitter. The likelihood is low, but it’s not impossible.
So far this season, the D-Backs are a question the Dodgers are unable to answer. They are the mystery that baffles the Dodgers almost every chance they get. Stats may be the answer to the Dodgers’ struggles against Arizona, they may not be.
Maybe it’s a little bit of everything; stats, luck, and sheer talent. No matter what, I believe that Chris Taylor will be one of the players that change the tune of the Dodgers 3-7 record against the D-Backs this year.
Jason’s pick (Current streak: Zero): Yasmani Grandal
I have been bad recently at my selections in this series so I went with someone that is also doing bad in Yasmani Grandal. With the Dodgers facing a right-handed pitcher, Grandal should get the start after a much-needed two days off from catching duties.
After starting the year on fire, Grandal has been a dude recently for LA. Grandal is batting .167 over the last two weeks and has not gotten a hit in his last week of play over 19 plate appearances. Grandal has not gotten a hit since April 30, where he went 3-3 against the Diamondbacks.
Next: How long to expect Kershaw to be out
Facing the Diamondbacks yet again, Grandal is due for a hit in this game. Those two days off were much needed after a long road trip and Grandal should be well rested to deliver for the Dodgers.