Can We Avoid the Sweep? Not If Our Bullpen Can Help It

Reds @ Dodgers
12:10pm
Game 3

Throwback Jersey Day at Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers are now 8 games back of first place, and 7 games under .500. They're barely above San Diego who sits in last place. The Dodger bullpen is just horrendous, and last night was no exception as Elbert, Dougie, and Hawksworth all pitched in and secured the loss. Don Mattingly at one point, in the 8th inning I believe, used three relievers. It really doesn't matter who you use when all of them are equally bad. Today we will attempt to halt a home series sweep by the Reds before a much-needed day off on Thursday is upon us. Houston comes into town for the next series before more Interleague play commences.

Chad Billingsley (5-5, 4.13) will try to bounce back after a Coor's Field implosion in his last outing. Bills has allowed 10 runs and 21 hits in his last 9 2/3 innings pitched. He's hitting well with a .280 average and 7 hits with a HR. There may be a little bit of a competition going on between him and Kershaw who also is hitting well with a .290 average and 9 hits. Hey guys, can we concentrate on pitching? Travis Wood (4-4, 5.38) is a lefty who will be going to the mound for the Reds. Last time we saw Woods was on June 5th when he only lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed 8 runs.

Lineup:

Gordon 6
Carroll 4
Ethier 9
Kemp 8
Uribe 5
Thames 7
Loney 3
Barajas 2
Billingsley 1

Ugh Thames. He's hitting .163 with 7 hits. I say bat him last behind Bills. Uribe batting 5th is just sentencing Kemp to be walked every at-bat too.

Marcus Thames, the new Auto Out?

Well Dodger fans, let's hope we can squeak out a win here. Go Blue:)