San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-14-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 14th August 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/14/2018
The Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen has fallen to pieces without closer Kenley Jansen, who landed on the disabled list last week with an irregular heartbeat but hopes to return by the end of the month. The Dodgers look to bounce back from another bullpen meltdown when they continue their three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.
Manager Dave Roberts saw his team drop its fourth straight on Monday as Scott Alexander allowed four runs in the ninth inning en route to a 5-2 setback. Justin Turner homered in the loss and is 13-for-30 during his eight-game hitting streak for the Dodgers, who remained one game behind first-place Arizona in the National League West. San Francisco moved within five games of the Diamondbacks and 6 1/2 of the second NL wild-card spot but received a scare when shortstop Brandon Crawford left the contest in the fourth inning following a collision with left fielder Gorkys Hernandez. Nick Hundley delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single in the ninth inning and rookie Steven Duggar recorded two hits and two stolen bases for the Giants, who improved to 8-6 against the Dodgers this season.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Andrew Suarez (4-8, 4.64 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (7-6, 3.58)
Suarez suffered his second straight loss on Thursday, allowing three runs and seven hits over five innings against Pittsburgh. "He just is catching too much of the plate," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "He got better as he went and started making better pitches, but they took advantage of some pitches in the middle of the plate." The 25-year-old rookie, who will be facing the Dodgers for the first time, has given up 17 hits in his last two starts - including four home runs.
Wood (adductor) will be activated from the disabled list to make his first start since Aug. 3, when he allowed two runs - one earned - over six frames in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina owns a 2.48 ERA with a 41-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last nine turns. Crawford is 6-for-18 with two homers against Wood, who is 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 12 career games (eight starts) versus San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has gone 3-for-29 with one extra-base hit in nine games this month.
2. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt (knee) continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and could be activated from the DL prior to Tuesday's contest.
3. The Dodgers activated RHP Erik Goeddel from the 10-day DL and optioned SHP Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Giants 3
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Los Angeles Angels vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-14-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 14th August 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Padres Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/14/2018
The Los Angeles Angels seek their sixth victory in eight games when they visit the San Diego Padres on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Justin Upton's two-run homer capped a four-run, 10th-inning uprising as the Angels posted a 6-3 win in the series opener.
Upton has homered in four of his last six games, but he also made a game-saving catch in the eighth inning on Monday as he leaped high above the left-field fence to turn Eric Hosmer's bid for a three-run homer into a game-tying sacrifice fly. Kole Calhoun went 3-for-4 and delivered a tiebreaking double for the first run in the 10th. The Padres activated Wil Myers (foot) from the 10-day disabled list prior to the series opener, and he excelled in his first major-league start as a third baseman by flawlessly handling all nine chances (one putout, eight assists). "I would rather have a game like this, getting into the action," Myers told reporters after the contest. "I felt good, I felt comfortable. ... I really enjoyed it."
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (7-7, 3.59 ERA) vs. Padres RH Brett Kennedy (0-1, 13.50)
Barria has gone 2-0 over his last three outings after losing his previous six decisions. The 22-year-old rookie allowed five hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings while beating Detroit in his last turn. Barria is 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA in three interleague starts but is facing the Padres for the first time.
Kennedy lost his major-league debut against Milwaukee on Wednesday, when he was torched for six runs and 11 hits over four innings. The 24-year-old served up three straight homers during a five-run opening frame as Jesus Aguilar launched a three-run blast while Travis Shaw and Eric Thames followed with solo shots. Kennedy was thriving at Triple-A El Paso prior to his recall, going 10-0 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 16 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF Mike Trout (wrist) is away to deal with a family matter and may not be back with the club on Thursday, when he is eligible to be activated from the 10-day DL.
2. San Diego SS Freddy Galvis went 2-for-4 with a homer for the second straight game and has gone deep in four of his last eight contests.
3. Los Angeles RHP Shohei Ohtani (elbow) tossed a 33-pitch bullpen session on Monday and told reporters through his translator that he hopes to pitch again this season.
PREDICTION: Angels 6, Padres 5
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