Brewers @ Dodgers August 2, 2018: Kershaw for the series split

Photo: Stacie Wheeler

The Dodgers (60-49) go for a split in the four-game series against the Brewers (63-48). The bats finally came alive in the 6-4 extra-inning walk-off win Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Brian Dozier had an immediate impact, Yasiel Puig was licking and hitting, and Yasmani Grandal continues to be one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. Thursday’s series finale is important in that it segues into a weekend clash with the Houston Astros.

Brewers
Dodgers
6:00 PM
Los Angeles
CF
Cain
LF
Pederson
RF
Yelich
SS
Machado
1B
Aguilar
3B
Turner
2B
Schoop
C
Grandal
LF
Braun
CF
Bellinger
3B
Shaw
2B
Dozier
C
Kratz 1B Muncy
SS Arcia
RF
Puig
P
Chacin (R)
P
Kershaw (L)

Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 2.52 ERA, 3.07 FIP) makes his 16th start of the season and looks to build upon his last start in Atlanta, a really solid outing. He pitched 7 2/3 innings, his longest start of the year. The supreme southpaw allowed one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and no walks on 101 pitches. Although his velocity has been a focal point of discussion this season, he’s still been extremely effective this year despite his two injuries. He also drove in two runs at the plate in his last start. #pitcherswhorake

Kersh faced the Brewers on July 21 and was tagged with the loss after he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings. Even though Kershaw surrendered a solo home run to Christian Yelich, the Dodgers’ defense and base running didn’t help the cause. Overall in his career against Milwaukee, Kershaw is 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings pitched. He’ll have to be wary of Ryan Braun who is 11-for-35 (.314) vs. Kershaw with two doubles and a home run. Yelich is 7-for-14 (.500) with a homer against him. Yelich is in the running for a batting title and is third in the NL with a .316 batting average.

The marquee pitching matchup features Jhoulys Chacin (10-3, 3.45, 3.91 FIP) for the Brew Crew. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Giants last Saturday. Chacin went on to allow just one run on three hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk on 107 pitches for the win in San Francisco.

The right-handed veteran is 11-8 with a 4.03 ERA in 25 career games (24 starts) against the Dodgers. He’s 5-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 11 games at Dodger Stadium. Chacin hasn’t faced the Dodgers since last season when he was still with the San Diego Padres.

Matt Kemp has hit three home runs against Chacin. Kemp has been in a second half slump and hasn’t hit a home run since his two on July 22. After hitting .310 with 15 home runs in 92 games over the first half, he’s hitting .205 with just three extra-base hits in 13 games.

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Justin Turner was activated off the DL. Turner has played in only 50 games this year after missing the first 40 games with a broken wrist out of Spring Training. A right groin strain has sidelined him recently. JT’s batting third and starting at the hot corner. That shifts Manny Machado back to shortstop, Max Muncy to first base and Cody Bellinger to center field. This lineup is very good in my opinion. Unfortunately Chris Taylor gets the bump to the bench, but I’m sure we’ll see him at some point during the game.

It was announced late that Chase Utley is headed to the DL with left wrist inflammation.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will make a rehab start tonight in Rancho Cucamonga. Reliever Zac Rosscup will also begin a rehab assignment with the Quakes.

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The schedule for the 2018 postseason was released today. A World Series Game 7, if necessary, would fall on Halloween. Perhaps another Dodger game viewing from a back of hearse on Halloween is in my future.

About Stacie Wheeler

Stacie Wheeler, born and raised in So Cal, has been writing about the Dodgers since 2010. She wrote daily as the co-editor of Lasorda's Lair for five long years, and she has also written for Dodgers Nation, Dodger Blue 1958 and The Hardball Times. She currently contributes to True Blue LA. Stacie graduated from the University Of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Cinema-Television. You can also watch her videos on her YouTube channel, DishingUpTheDodgers.