Dodgers Beat the Streak: An old Dodger returns to Chavez Ravine
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of five of their last six series, start a new series against the Atlanta Braves and a familiar face tonight.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won five of their last six series, the lone exception being a series split against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite being hurt to no end, the Dodgers are 15-5 in their last 20 games and trail by just 1.5 games in the NL West.
Tonight, the Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves in the teams’ first matchup of the season. On the bump for the Braves is Brandon McCarthy, who is making his return to Chavez Ravine for the first time being traded to the Braves.
McCarthy would be a good piece for the Dodgers right now as the starting rotation battles injuries. But hey, we got Matt Kemp out of that trade, so we definitely are not complaining.
The last time we saw McCarthy at Chavez Ravine was his first ever playoff appearance in his 11-year MLB career. That appearance was in the 11th inning of game two of the World Series. McCarthy allowed two runs. The Dodgers lost 6-7 in what arguably was the turning point of the series.
If Kenley Jansen just didn’t let up that home run or Cody Bellinger actually left the yard the Dodgers would have been up 2-0. I would probably still be wearing my World Series Champions t-shirt, only taking it off to shower.
Let’s forget the bad memories McCarthy brings and focus on our Beat the Streak.
On Thursday I went with Justin Turner, who was coming off a hitless game. However, Turner again sat out due to soreness in his left wrist. So my streak stays intact at a very long zero games.
Sarah, on the other hand, went with a player that was actually playing in Chris Taylor. Taylor just barely was able to keep Sarah’s streak rolling along, going 1-5.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 5: Yasiel Puig
My pick for today is the Wild Horse, Yasiel Puig. I think, at least I hope, that being home in LA will help this team continue their hot streak. Puig could be a big part of that. His defense in right is obviously important, but I think he’s about to get really hot, right at the right time for this team.
Tonight the Dodgers face an old friend in Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy was traded as part of that massive salary dump move by the FO. Dodger fans will remember this trade for a while because it’s the one that got us Matt Kemp back.
McCarthy has been pretty good this year but has had his fair share of struggle. Going into tonight he boasts a 5-2 record and a 4.83 ERA. I’m going with Puig tonight because Puig was a Dodger for the entirety of McCarthy’s 3 seasons as a Dodger. He knows how he works and has a better chance of taking advantage of that knowledge with a hit tonight.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 0: Matt Kemp
Brandon McCarthy is not the only familiar face in this game as Kemp is going against his old team in the Atlanta Braves.
This season, Kemp has absolutely demolished the first team he played for after his Dodger career initially ended, the San Diego Padres. Kemp is 17-34 against the Padres with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
Hopefully, Kemp can have the same kind of showing against the Braves that will keep his hot streak going. Kemp is notorious for excelling in May and later falling off. Last May, he hit .357 in 123 plate appearances. This May, he hit .361 in 103 plate appearances.
The rest of the season Kemp his .232 for the Braves. Dodgers fans are hoping that he does not have the same fall off this year.
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Thus, this series may be telling of what the rest of the season will be like for Kemp. If anything, Dodgers fans should be excited because Kemp has beaten up his other old team.