Los Angeles Dodgers: Veteran bats will capitalize on rookie pitcher

After a tough loss on Monday night to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to capitalize against a young pitcher in Daniel Poncedeleon.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scratched and clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game 3-3 in the seventh inning. With Yasiel Puig on third base and just one out in the bottom of the eighth, with Justin Turner to bat nonetheless, the Dodgers escaping with a win seemed inevitable.

Especially with Kenley Jansen returning to toss the ninth inning. Even after Turner struck out and Cody Bellinger lined out, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chances seemed good.

Jansen was greeted back in the worst way possible as Jedd Gyroko and Matt Carpenter hit back-to-back home runs to open the ninth and give the Cardinals the 5-3 victory.

With the Cardinals being a playoff team and the Dodgers still on the outside looking in, it is imperative that the Dodgers win the final two games of the series to remain in the mix. Another lengthy losing streak and a good run from the Rockies and Diamondbacks could seal the Dodgers fate.

Thus, tonight the Dodger bats need to capitalize on a young arm in Daniel Poncedeleon in a similar fashion as the offense did against the Seattle Mariners. Scoring runs early and not falling behind is a must.

Regaining confidence in Dodger Stadium, where the Dodgers are 32-31, is crucial.

Here are the two veteran bats that we think will come up big tonight as part of our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak series.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 0: Brian Dozier

My pick for tonight is one that’s a pretty safe bet; Brian Dozier. Last night the Dodgers had plenty of chances to win the opener against St. Louis, but couldn’t get it done (Kenley Jansen’s rocky return sure didn’t help).

That said, this team’s postseason hopes are not gone, and a strong rest of August could have them right back there in the pennant race. So tonight I am going with Brian Dozier, who’s been far and away one of the best hitters on this team since being traded from Minnesota. The offense may be able to get it done tonight, but the more pressing question is this; can the bullpen?

Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Yasmani Grandal

With a right-handed pitcher on the mound, Yasmani Grandal should be slated to get the starting nod over Austin Barnes.

Unfortunately for Grandal and Dodger fans, he is experiencing his annual August slump in which the power-hitting catcher cannot catch a break. Grandal has struck out 19 times in 58 plate appearances in August and carries a .157 batting line.

Of Grandal’ eight hits in the month, six are extra-base hits, four of which being home runs. The power numbers are still there and are average for what he usually produces. However, it is the consistent hitting and finding gaps in the field for singles that Grandal is struggling with.

Tonight, Grandal will capitalize on a mistake pitch and further continue his trend of hitting for power but nothing else as he will blast a home run as part of the Dodgers early barrage of runs.