Dodgers Beat the Streak: Jon Lester killer, part two
By Jason Reed
Jon Lester is pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second time in the last week and the same bat will get a base knock off the southpaw.
After losing their first series since May 17, the Los Angeles Dodgers exited the first series against the Chicago Cubs looking for redemption.
The Dodgers responded to that series loss by sweeping the New York Mets and winning the first game of the second series against the Cubs, this time in LA. Despite losing two of the three games in Chicago, the Dodgers are 5-2 in their last seven and 7-3 in their last ten.
Tonight, the Dodgers can at least guarantee a series tie with the Cubs, who are at Chavez Ravine for four games. After losing in Chicago, you know the Dodgers are looking to sweep the Cubbies.
Despite winning game one, the Dodger bats were not as thunderous as they were in the Big Apple. The Dodgers won the game, 2-1, behind solo home runs from Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez.
Unfortunately, neither Sarah or I selected Taylor or Hernandez as our Beat the Streak hitters. Sarah did have a good selection, though, in Justin Turner. Turner went 2-4 on the night and was the only Dodger with two base hits.
I was not as fortunate as my selection Matt Kemp went 0-2 in the contest. I hate to say it, but Kemp is starting to cool down and is providing a far too similar decline that we have seen in the past.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 6: Cody Bellinger
My pick for tonight’s second game against Chicago is, once again, Cody Bellinger. I’m picking him, not only because he has a homer and a .333 average against Cubs’ ace, Jon Lester, but because my streak is at six and I’m trying to play it safe.
Nowadays, Cody Bellinger is about as safe, and consistent, as it gets. He’s hit three homers in his last seven games and has knocked in six RBIs. He seems to have finally hit his stride and is launching baseballs into the second deck faster than anyone can count. Sound familiar?
It’s no secret that Jon Lester has been amazing this season, his 2.10 ERA speaks for itself, but the Dodgers have seemed far more like themselves lately, so they may be able to get through to Jon Lester. Let’s hope they can.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 0: Enrique Hernandez
At this rate, I am never going to catch Sarah. Although I put together an eight-game hitting streak to start the season, I simply have not been able to get above five.
Tonight, to start yet another new streak, I am going with Enrique Hernandez on his very own bobblehead night. Hernandez hits Jon Lester fairly well and was actually my pick against Lester when the Dodgers faced him last Wednesday.
Hernandez is a lifetime .313 hitter against Lester with five hits in 16 at-bats. Of those five hits, Hernandez has homered twice, tripled and driven in six RBIs.
Next: It is time to pursue Manny Machado
Selecting Hernandez against Lester worked last week and the red-hot shortstop provides me the best chance to restart my streak tonight. Let’s hope he can get it done on his bobblehead night.