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Dodgers Beat the Streak: First game back from the break

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League speak before the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League speak before the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers look to end the second half the same way they ended the first, in first place. However, we want our hitting streaks to change course.

The Los Angeles Dodgers did a great job at overcoming an extremely slow start to the season to finish the first half of the season in first place. Granted, it is just a half game cushion between them and the Diamondbacks but it is still very promising for LA.

Despite the team coming around in late May to now, our Dodgers Beat the Streak hitting streaks never picked up too much momentum.

I started the year on an eight-game hitting streak and thought this series would come naturally and be instinctively easy. I do not think I reached more than five.

Sarah had a bit better luck, reaching a streak of 10. While that is definitely impressive, I will not call it a true success until one of us reaches 20.

With that in mind, in the second half, we are going to start giving ourselves the option to double down. We can select two players, if they both get a hit, our hit extends by two. If just one does not get a hit in an at-bat, we lose our streak.

It will be optional and we will start after today’s picks. With that being said, here are our picks for the first game back.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 1: Matt Kemp

My pick for today is Matt Kemp. He had a strong All-Star Game, but I think he’s going to continue to contribute to the Dodgers once the regular season resumes. This guy has gone full-on “beast mode” and the Dodgers are far better because of it.

Combine that with the newly acquired Manny Machado, and the Dodgers offense could be as close to unbeatable as it gets. Matt Kemp is the kind of player that, when he’s hot, he’s really tough to strike out.

Today the Dodgers open a three-game set against a Brewers team that has been really good all season long. Things seem to be looking up for the Dodgers, however, and Matt Kemp will be leading the charge.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 0: Justin Turner

Justin Turner did not have a great first-half of the season after coming off the DL with a wrist injury. With a few days to rest the wrist and a sore groin, I think we are going to see Turner come out of the games in the second-half.

That is going to kickstart what will be a great overall second half for Turner and will carry the momentum into the postseason. It all starts with today’s contest against the Brewers at Miller Park, where Turner thrives. Turner is a career .303 hitter at Miller Park.

Next: Top 10 teams in Dodgers' history

This, of course, only happens if Turner does return to the lineup after missing time. If he does, which he should, I expect big things.

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