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Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak – May 18

By Sarah Maninger

MONTERREY, MEXICO - MAY 04: Center fielder Chris Taylor #3 of Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the bullpen during the MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey on May 4, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO - MAY 04: Center fielder Chris Taylor #3 of Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the bullpen during the MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey on May 4, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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Tonight, as the Dodgers make the journey up the eastern seaboard to begin a three-game set against the Washington Nationals, Jason and Sarah make their Beat the Streak picks.

Yesterday, the Dodgers played one of their strongest games of the season, in which they won 7-0 over the Marlins. It was a game that made fans rejoice, and provide more hope than any game has given all season. Justin Turner drove in 5, and Kenta Maeda pitched like an ace when the Dodgers desperately needed one.

Last night, Jason picked Matt Kemp, who has proven to be a valid asset in the Dodgers lineup. Nobody, not even Kemp, predicted he would be in a Dodgers uniform in the middle of May when the 2017 season ended. Nevertheless, here he is, and Dodger fans sure are happy to have him back.

I stuck with my pick from Wednesday and went with Justin Turner. It proved to be a solid move, as Turner went on to drive in 5 of the Dodgers’ 7 runs.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but boy does it feel good to have Turner back in that lineup.

Tonight, weather permitting, the Dodgers will begin a three-game set against the Nationals in our nation’s capital. This weekend, they’ll face three of the strongest pitchers in all of baseball, including reigning NL Cy Young winner, Max Scherzer.

Here’s who Jason and I think will get a knock in tonight’s opener against the Nats.

Jason’s Pick: – Current Streak: 3 – Yasmani Grandal

These games terrify me against the Max Scherzer. He is just so good it is hard to pinpoint who is going to get a hit when the hits are going to be so limited. I was going to go with Justin Turner, but after playing three straight in Miami, he may be due for an off-day.

Thus, I am going with Yasmani Grandal, who started the season red-hot and has leveled out over the last few weeks.

The thing that makes Grandal an intriguing pick for me is his ability to hit low fastballs. We have all seen him go down and get one at his knees, drive it out of the park and drop the bat with swagger. Scherzer, being a fastball pitcher that pounds the zone, may give Grandal a fastball at his knees that he can send for a ride.

Really, this pick is kind of home run or bust.

Sarah’s Pick: – Current Streak: 5 – Chris Taylor

My pick for tonight is Chris Taylor. This isn’t too much of an outside-the-box pick, but with the Dodgers facing Max Scherzer, I didn’t feel the need to take a risk. In two at-bats against Max Scherzer this season, Taylor has two hits; a double and a triple. Granted, those two hits took place at Dodger Stadium, and the Dodgers will be at the Navy Yard tonight, but honestly, I doubt it’ll matter come game time.

Though the effect of Corey Seager‘s injury will be felt all throughout the season, Chris Taylor is making it more bearable. His defense is elite and is the most reliable leadoff hitter the Dodgers have.

I believe that tonight’s game against Washington will be far from a walk in the park, but the Dodgers have momentum. It may be a new sense of momentum, of confidence and hope, but the Dodgers have it.

Next: How the Cincinnati Reds Swept the Dodgers

Let’s see where it takes them.

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