Dodgers Beat the Streak: Expect some Fourth of July fireworks

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates and looking to get the team’s fifth consecutive Fourth of July victory.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won their last four games on the Fourth of July and are currently riding a three-game winning streak heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

Thus, not only are the Dodgers going for a fifth straight victory on the Fourth of July, the team is also going for a dominant sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Los Angeles has outscored Pittsburgh 25-4 in two games this series and has scored a combined 47 runs in five games against the Pirates this season.

It is safe to say that the Dodgers see the Pirates’ pitching fairly well. For a team that is prone to slugging home runs, especially over the last month and a half, this is bound to create some fireworks before the post-game fireworks show.

Last night, though, was not as successful for my Dodgers Beat the Streak selection. Despite the team producing 11 hits, my selection, Matt Kemp, went 0-4 with three strikeouts.

Sarah’s selection was not part of the offensive slugfest, either, but did produce a base hit to extend her streak. Justin Turner went 1-3 in the contest with a bases-empty single in the fifth inning. Pretty boring for the Dodgers’ recent standards, but enough to extend her streak.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 3: Chris Taylor

My pick for today is the guy who was named the player of the game yesterday, Chris Taylor. Last night he came a single shy of the cycle but, more importantly, he helped his team to (at least) a series win over the Pirates.

The Dodgers continued their offensive outburst yesterday and CT3 lead the charge. I was the kind of game that can change the tide of the season for the better.

Let’s hope it does.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 0: Cody Bellinger

Typically, I do not like to make power-hitting selections as power hitters usually do not hit for as high of an average and do not give me a good chance of extending my streak. That is exactly the problem I have had with selecting Cody Bellinger this season.

However, for whatever reason, Cody Bellinger is really seeing Pirates’ pitching well this season. Despite hitting just .238 on the season, Bellinger is 7-17 (.422) with a double, four home runs and seven RBIs against the Pirates.

Bellinger has never faced today’s pitcher, Clay Holmes, who is making his first career MLB start after two bullpen appearances for the Pirates. Bellinger should have a nice matchup against the right-handed Holmes, who may groove Bellinger a pitch down the middle.

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Thus, I think we are going to see a Bellibomb out of Cody Bellinger today. Everyone has been hitting home runs, it is the safest hit to predict nowadays.