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Dodgers Beat the Streak: Facing a brief, former Dodger

By Jason Reed

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 08: Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the fist inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium on July 8, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 08: Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the fist inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium on July 8, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers head into Saturday night’s game looking to guarantee a win in act two of the Freeway Series against a familiar face.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels have had four very close contests in the 2018 Freeway Series. Three of the four games were decided by just one run and the two teams have split the first four games at two apiece.

Tonight, the Dodgers look to guarantee a series win in the second go-around of the Freeway Series as well as set up a potential sweep to win the season series. It will be impossible to win the season series with a loss tonight.

Los Angeles is also looking to hold onto first place as the Dodgers lead the Arizona Diamondbacks by half a game going into tonight’s game.

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Standing in the Dodgers way is Andrew Heaney, a young promising left-handed pitcher that briefly was a member of the Dodgers. The team acquired Heaney in the trade that sent Dee Gordon to the Marlins before flipping him to the Angels for Howie Kendrick.

Heaney got the victory last time out against the Dodgers. After walking two batters in the second inning, Yasiel Puig sent a three-run home run into the seats. However, that was the only offense the Dodgers could muster as the Angels won, 4-3. That was one of just three hits off Heaney.

Yesterday, though, the Dodger bats were able to deliver to extend our hitting streaks. While neither of us picked the man of the night, Max Muncy, our picks Cody Bellinger and Matt Kemp both extended our streaks.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 1: Joc Pederson

My pick for today is Joc Pederson. Pederson had an extremely hot June but has since cooled off. That said, Joc Pederson has gotten so much more consistent than he had been last season, and it’s starting to really benefit the Dodgers.

His defense is stellar, and he’s become far more patient at the plate. Though Pederson still may be a candidate for trade (no word yet, but anything can happen), he’s a guy the Dodgers need to hold on to.

Especially with Yasiel Puig out for the foreseeable future, this team needs as much strength as possible in that outfield, and I think that’s something Joc Pederson will prove as the Dodgers take on the Angels tonight.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Justin Turner

When looking at how the Dodgers’ hitters fare against Andrew Heaney I became nervous about my hitting streak. The only Dodger with multiple hits off Heaney is Corey Seager, who we won’t see until Opening Day 2019.

Yasiel Puig also has a hit off Heaney (the home run) but he is currently on the DL. Max Muncy and Chase Utley both have hits against Heaney but I do not feel comfortable with the lefty on lefty matchup.

Thus, by process of elimination, the only name remaining with a base hit against Heaney is Justin Turner and is my selection for the game. Turner has not been himself this year, so I won’t predict a big performance as I often do.

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However, Turner will score a run on the night as the bats behind him will drive him in after he serves a base hit into right field.

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