Los Angeles Dodgers looking to take series on Father’s Day

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set for the fourth and final game against the Chicago Cubs at home in a Father’s Day primetime matchup.

If this was a playoff series, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs would be tied at three games apiece heading into Game 7. With there being a great chance that the two teams meet each other again in the playoffs, this is important to keep in mind.

The Chicago Cubs took two of three in Chicago earlier in the season over the Dodgers before the Dodgers took the first two games at Dodger Stadium this weekend. It looked like LA was primed for another victory as well before Anthony Rizzo‘s ninth inning, two-run home run gave the Cubs a 2-1 victory.

It did sting as it was off of Kenley Jansen and all of the Jansen naysayers came out to criticize the closer, completely ignoring that he has been lights out as of late.

This happens in sports. When you have to face Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez in the ninth inning, there is a pretty good chance that they will score at least one run. Losses like this happen and while there is no excuse for Jansen, acting like he just blew a game in an actual playoff series is a bit unfair.

Because at the end of the day the Dodgers offense was still fairly terrible on Saturday night. You cannot win a lot of games scoring just one run. The lone run came off an absolute moonshot from Alex Verdugo in a game in which the Dodgers had just five hits.

Again, it happens and the best thing to do is put it in the rearview mirror and focus on the next game. As part of our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak series, this is who we think can change the tide and get a base hit to help the Boys in Blue win the series.

Jason’s pick (Current streak: 0): Chris Taylor

I think this is the first time I have picked Chris Taylor all year long as I have been avoided him and his bat that has not rebounded from a sophomore slump in 2018. However, with Jose Quintana on the mound and Taylor’s numbers against him, I like his chances.

I have a bad feeling that the Dodgers are going to have another sluggish night offensively. While the team has a collective .292 batting average against Quintana, the grind of a 162-game season finally seems to be setting in.

While the Dodgers are still winning games, they are not as dominant as they were even a few weeks ago. It is nothing to worry about whatsoever, but this is the kind of game against a solid southpaw that the Dodgers would rather not have right now.

With ERA leader Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound, the Dodgers shouldn’t need much. Heck, if the team can score three runs then it should be enough with Ryu on the bump.

The goal should be higher though and the Dodgers should look to score at least five off of Quintana. Perhaps some of the runs can come off of Taylor’s first home run since June 7.