Dodgers-Diamondbacks Series Preview: BEAT L.A

Adrian Gonzalez has owned the Dbacks in his career and 2014 is no exception. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks home woes continued this week when the Snakes bullpen blew two leads against the Washington Nationals and lost two out of three to Washington. The Nationals came into the series after getting swpet by the A’s and they were decimated by injuries. Instead of taking advantage of a beaten down team, the Dbacks continued to dissapoint the home fans. Arizona is now 4-17 at home and the only why they are even close to respectability is their outstanding road record of 12-10 which is the third best road record in the majors. The Dbacks are 5-5 in their past 10 and have been playing better baseball. Now its time to start playing well at home and that is not going to be easy to do against the Dodgers. L.A on the season is 22-20 and 5 and a half games back in the division but they are 7-1 against the Dbacks including 5-0 on the Dbacks home turf including the two victories in Australia. If it werent for the Dodgers this team might be over .500.

The key storyline in this series is Adrian Gonzalez. This is the last guy the Snakes want to see if they hope to end their Chase Field woes. Gonzalez leads all active players with 20 HR and 79 RBI’s against the Dbacks and this year against Arizona he is batting .429 with 3 HR and 13 RBI. Gonzalez also loves hitting at Chase Field. He is one of those players that always seems to do something to change the game against Arizona.

Game by Game:

Game 1: Zach Grienke vs. Wade Miley

Miley allowed two runs in seven innings vs. the Whitesox in his last start faces a familiar foe. He has made three starts against the Dodgers in 2014 and he won his most recent one on April 18th. He is 3-3 with a 3.96 era in his career against L.A. Grienke is coming off a victory against the Giants in his last start. He is 6-1 with a 2.38 era and has been one of the best pitchers in the N.L in 2014. He is 1-0 with 16 strikeouts in 11 and a third innings against Arizona. Grienke and Miley have already faced each other three times this season.

Game 2: Clayton Kershaw vs. Chase Anderson

The rookie Anderson will make his second major league start on Saturday and his first start at home. Anderson allowed one run and two hits in five and third innings against the Whitesox on Sunday in his big league debut. Anderson really has great stuff. What impressed me most was his devestating changeup. Well see if Anderson can stay in the rotation long term. Kershaw went seven innings in a no decision against the Giants on May 11th. He beat the Dbacks on March 22nd in the season opener in Sydney before going on the D.L. Kershaw has lost his last four at Chase Field.

Game 3: Dan Haren vs. Josh Collmenter

Collmenter had a tough time in his last starty battling through five innings against the Nationals. He didn’t have his best command and the Nats made him pay for hit as he earned a no decision. He has a careeer 5.21 era against the Dodgers. Haren a former Dback has been a surprise starter around the majors with a record of 5-1 and a 2.84 era. He went seven innings in his last start beating the Marlins. He beat the Dbacks on April 13th.

Series Prediction: The pitching matchups for the Diamondbacks are not in their favor with Grineke, Kershaw, and Haren going. The Dbacks have a good chance to get swept but this team and this fanbase simply cant afford it. I say the Dbacks loose game 1 as Grienke is to much. Kershaw has not pitched well at Chase Field, so I say they get the win in game 2 behind the rookie Anderson and then they loose the rubber game. The Dbacks finish the homestand 2-4 as unfourtunatly the home woes continue.