Dodgers Beat the Streak: Southpaw specialist with a big game
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to extend the team’s series unbeaten streak to seven series with a rubber match win over the Atlanta Braves.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won five of their last six series and split one with the Philadelphia Phillies. Heading into Sunday’s contest, the Dodgers have their hands full against southpaw Sean Newcomb, who is finally paying off from the Andrelton Simmons trade with the Los Angeles Angels.
Newcomb has a 7-1 record with a 2.49 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched. Left-handed batters are hitting just .143 against Newcomb.
Thus, it is safe to say that this may be the Dodgers’ most challenging rubber match yet. With the tenacity of the Atlanta offense and the stinginess of Newcomb on the mound, the Dodgers need to fire on all cylinders.
Last night that may not have been the case. However, I was able to extend my Beat the Streak hitting streak. I selected Chris Taylor, who went 1-4 on the night.
Sarah, though, was not as fortunate. She lost her season-high six-game hitting streak as her selection, Logan Forsythe, went 0-3 on the night.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 0: Chris Taylor
After a tough loss on Saturday night, I’m going with a safer pick; Chris Taylor. Though Taylor hasn’t been as hot as the offense may need, he’s been good. I’m picking him mainly because of his stats against today’s starter, Sean Newcomb, but also because Taylor, though slumping, is still a reliable hitter.
In his career, Taylor is 3-6 against Newcomb including 2RBIs and a homer. Good news is Austin Barnes, who may be behind the plate today, also has a homer off of the Braves southpaw.
Chris Taylor may not be the best leadoff hitter, but he sure isn’t the worst, either. He’s hit a few leadoff homers in his career and takes his fair share of walks (28 on the season). His speed has also contributed to him already reaching a career-high six triples.
Leadoff triples for the Dodgers, now, are almost as good as home runs. Today the Dodgers send their current ace, Ross Stripling, to the mound. That, in it of itself, is good news, and to make matters better, no Brave has faced Stripling more than 4 times, and the only person with an average above .333 against him is Tyler Flowers (who played some great baseball on Saturday) and is 1-1.
I think that today is a very important game for the Dodgers, as they enter a series against the Rangers (which will be intriguing to watch, if nothing else) and then a massive series against the Giants.
The Dodgers have gotten stronger, but in order for the rest of baseball to truly see that the Dodgers are indeed back, they need to make the jump into first place. A win today would be the first step.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 1: Enrique Hernandez
Left-handed hitters are obviously going to struggle against Newcomb today so I am steering far away from the likes of Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy or Joc Pederson (if Pederson even gets the start).
Instead, if the Dodgers are going to win this game, they are going to need a big night out of someone that specializes in hitting left-handed pitching.
Right now, the Dodgers are limited in those options. Matt Kemp hits southpaws good, but he is hitting every pitcher well. Logan Forsythe is supposed to be a left-handed specialist, however, has been lackluster this season.
Thus, I am turning to the best southpaw specialist the Dodgers have in Enrique Hernandez. Hernandez is not a consistent offensive contributor, but when he does contribute, he contributes a ton.
Next: Which Dodger is worth building a team around?
It has been a long time since we have seen a big night out of the super utility player and he seems due for one.