Diamondbacks-Dodgers Series Preview: The Brawl

photo credit Fox Sports

The Diamondbacks started the road trip off on a bad note, losing both games to Houston after falling in extras yesterday. They lost three of four to the team that has the third worst record in all of baseball. Granted, I know this team is one of the hottest in baseball, and maybe things are starting to come together for the Astros, after all they are only 6 games under .500 coming into play today. I still expected the Dbacks at the very least to split both series but they failed to do that. Now the Dbacks have to right the ship against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers who haven’t exactly gotten on a role yet with many blaming the chemistry of the team as the issue (dont tell that to Brian Kenny). Bare in mind, this time last year was when the Dodgers got on a role. Hopefully the Dbacks can right the ship and end the road trip on a positive note.

Key Storyline: About this time last year, the Dbacks-Dodgers rivalry was at its peak and it was because of an incident that happened at Dodger Stadium. June 12th, 2013 was when it all went down. First in the 6th inning, Dbacks starter Ian Kennedy hit Dodgers star Yasiel Puig with a pitch in the nose, that was enough for the Dodgers training staff to administer a concussion test…on the field. Dodgers starter Zach Grienke decided that he was going to hit Miguel Montero, and finally with the fourth pitch of the at bat he hit Miggy with a fastball in the back. The Dbacks considered this a violation and that is when the brawling started. All in all the benches cleared twice, and six were ejected. The coaches battled it out with each other and their were plenty of punches thrown. Suspensions were handed out, but the biggest fallout was how it affected both teams. The Dodgers went on a historic win streak and took the division, meanwhile the Dbacks fell of the map. The rivalry was taken to a whole new level, but has died down since. Keep an eye on this series, as both teams know that this is the anniversary of the brawl.

Game 1: RHP Chase Anderson vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

Anderson continued his historic performance since being called up in his last start against the Braves. In seven innings he gave up 5 hits and two runs. Anderson looks to stay perfect against the Dodgers. Whenever he starts he seems to always get a lot of run support so look for that again tonight. His record is 5-0 with a 3.14 era. Kershaw struck out nine without a walk in a 5 inning complete game win: rain stopped play. Kershaw has always struggled in his career. In 113.2 innings pitched he is 8-7 with a 2.69 era against Arizona.

Game 2: RHP Josh Collmenter vs. RHP Dan Haren

Collmenter took his first loss after winning four in a row against the Astros. In seven innings he gave up three runs on seven hits. The loss moved him to 4-3 on the season with a 3.65 era. Haren earned his first win since May 12th allowing two runs on five hits against the Reds. Haren is 4-2 with a 3.60 era against his former team.

Game 3: RHP Bronson Arroyo vs. RHP Josh Beckett

Arroyo had possibly his best start last time out against the Astros. In seven innings he allowed one run on seven hits. Since no hitting the Phillies, Beckett has been one of the hottest pitchers in the game. In his last outing he went six shutout innings allowing two hits.

Series Prediction: I think the Dbacks will take game 1 simply because Anderson is on the mound, and Kershaw has always struggled against Arizona no matter the location. I will give game 2 to the Dodgers in a pitchers duel…Haren has been really good against Arizona this season. Game 3 could also go either way but I give it to the Dodgers…Beckett is on a role. The Dbacks take one of three to finish the trip 1-4.