Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 08-08-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 8th August 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Athletics Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/08/2018
The Los Angeles Dodgers cooled off the red-hot Oakland Athletics in the series opener and attempt to complete a sweep of the two-game interleague set when they visit the American League club on Wednesday. Los Angeles scored in each of the first three innings on Tuesday en route to a 4-2 triumph, which put it one-half game ahead of Arizona for first place in the National League West.
Cody Bellinger and Matt Kemp delivered RBI singles for the Dodgers, who have won four of six after ending July with a three-game losing streak. Khris Davis went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for Oakland, which had its six-game winning streak halted but remained two games ahead of Seattle for the second wild card in the AL. Davis has gone deep 11 times in his last 15 contests and is eight shy of his third consecutive 40-homer season. Matt Chapman is riding a six-game hitting streak after recording one of the Athletics' four hits on Tuesday and has been held without a hit only twice in his last 16 contests.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 2.55 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Mike Fiers (7-6, 3.48)
Kershaw has won four of his last five decisions, including one against Milwaukee on Thursday in which he allowed two runs and five hits over six innings. Despite his uncharacteristic season, the 30-year-old Texan has given up more than two earned runs in only three of his 16 outings and more than three just once. Kershaw has made three career starts against Oakland but hasn't recorded a decision after permitting two runs and registering 22 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.
Fiers will be making his debut with Oakland just two days after being acquired from Detroit, with whom he was stellar since late June. The 33-year-old Floridian, who exited his turn against Cincinnati last Wednesday after two innings due to a shin contusion, has yielded fewer than two runs in five of his last seven outings. Fiers is 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and his only career complete game - a shutout - in four starts and one relief appearance versus Los Angeles.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers placed RHP Daniel Hudson (forearm) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled LHP-RHP Pat Venditte from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
2. Los Angeles SS Corey Seager, who had Tommy John surgery in May, underwent a procedure on his hip on Tuesday and will not resume baseball activities until January.
3. Oakland added Fiers and RHP Shawn Kelley, who was acquired from Washington on Sunday, to the roster and activated OF Chad Pinder (elbow) from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday while optioning 2B Franklin Barreto and RHPs Ryan Dull and J.B. Wendelken to Triple-A Nashville.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Athletics 3
__________________