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Dodgers Beat the Streak: Last game before the All-Star Break

By Jason Reed

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers head into the last game of the first half of the season looking to tie the season series with the Angels and take two or three in LA.

The last game of the first half is not overly important for the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, it could serve as the table-setter for what hopefully will be a promising second-half of the season.

A win and a Diamondback loss would put the Dodgers in sole possession of first heading into the break. Not only is a win important for the standings, the Dodgers need to level the playing field when it comes to Southern California bragging rights.

Right now, the Angels have won three of the five Freeway Series games. A Dodger win puts the two teams even, an Angels win gives them the four games to two advantage.

These things may not be important come October but it is extremely important for all the Angel and Dodger fans that constantly smack talk each other.

The Dodgers dropped game two of the series on Saturday after an offensive performance that left more to be wanted. While the Dodgers were able to muster 10 hits the team scored four runs and failed to complete a three-run comeback.

Despite having 10 hits, the Dodgers did not do much for our Dodgers Beat the Streak hitting streaks. Sarah went with Joc Pederson, who was hitless in his one pinch-hit at-bat. I went with Justin Turner, who did not register an at-bat at all.

So while I may not have extended my streak, I did not reset, so that is something to celebrate.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 0: Cody Bellinger

My pick for today’s finale against the Angels is Cody Bellinger. Over the course of his past 30 games, Bellinger has played well, but with the Dodgers within reach of first place yet again, they need him to be hitting like he did last season.

I’m picking him, not because of his record against today’s starter for Anaheim, Deck McGuire, in which he is 0-1, but because this time last season, in fact all of last season, Bellinger was hitting better than anyone in the league.

Last season, Bellinger was an All-Star, and as the Dodgers play their final game before the break, I think he’s going to become the All-Star player we know he can be.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Matt Kemp

In the last game of the first-half of the season, I am going to go with the Dodgers’ best hitter of the first half, Matt Kemp. Some would argue that Max Muncy earned that credit but it has been Kemp that has kickstarted quite a few rallies and has served as the team’s main run producer.

Kemp has not faced McGuire yet this season and is going to give the young pitcher something to remember with a hard hit ball that flies 10 feet over the center field wall. It would only be fitting that Kemp finishes the first half with a bang as he gets ready to start in the All-Star Game for the first time since 2011.

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Kemp extending my streak to three would be a decent way to head into the All-Star Break. With my personal best being eight, hopefully, the second half can be more forgiving and I can really catch some ground.

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