The pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers is on a roll at the midway point in the season while their bats are a different story. The team has been struggling at the plate and facing the St. Louis Cardinals is not the best way to get back into momentum. As the Dodgers begin to toy with potential trades, they must first get past a surging Cardinals team.
The Dodgers will send All-Star Zack Greinke to the mound who put together his best start of the season right before the break.However, the offense did get it done and it was essentially wasted. Greinke is 11-5 with a 2.73 ERA on the season and is among the leaders in the win category. He gave up just three runs while striking out eight in his start before the All-Star game, but the offense only mustered up five hits and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
This has become the norm for Greinke. During Game 1 of the NLCS last season, the bats went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position while the pitcher struck out 10 and gave up just two runs.He is 5-0 since that game against the Cardinals with a 1.74 ERA.
St. Louis will send Joe Kelly to the mound to capitalize off the slumping Dodgers bats. He is 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA on the year. He gave up six runs and seven hits in his start before the break. In two games against Los Angeles, he has given up just three runs in 11 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers are thinking trades. Manager Don Mattingly is left with the decision to trade Matt Kemp or not. The outfielder is unhappy with his current situation and lack of playing time which could force the team to make a move. Los Angeles would like to acquire a starting pitcher or a strong arm for the bullpen and Kemp might be sent packing as a result.
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