The Dodgers have combined a seemingly endless war chest with cutting edge analysis to identify a roster of talent that has helped them become a dynasty, including another title last year. But although they have the fourth-best record in baseball going into this series, they have gone into a slide, losing eight of their last nine games.
Kansas City Royals (49—70) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (70-48) at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Royals: 4.13 runs scored/game (24th in MLB), 5.07 runs allowed/game (27th)
Dodgers: 5.01 runs scored/game (4th), 3.84 runs allowed/game (5th)
Who’s hot:
- Shohei Ohtani is hitting .301/.365/.602 with 8 HR in his last 26 games.
- Jac Caglianone is hiting .378 with four home runs in his last 11 games.
Who’s not:
- Tommy Edman is mired in a 4-for-38 (.105) slump over his last ten games.
- Kyle Isbel is just 2-for-16 (.125) since coming off the Injured List.
Interesting matchups:
- Teoscar Hernandez is 6-for-11 (.545) with two home runs against Michael Wacha.
- Salvador Perez is 12-for-42 (.286) with four home runs and no walks against Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal makes his first start at Dodger Stadium since he was acquired from the Tigers. He is 5-9 with a 3.86 ERA in 19 games against the Royals in his career. Blake Snell returns to make his first start since mid-May when he had elbow surgery. The Dodgers have not yet announced a starter for Wednesday, but Lauer started last week against the Cubs, giving up six runs and 11 hits in four innings.
Edwin Diaz has blown the lead in each of his last two outings, and has given up five runs in four innings since coming off the Injured List. Only three teams in baseball have fewer blown saves than Dodgers relievers.
This is just the fourth time the Royals have visited Dodger Stadium, and they have only won two games there in nine tries. The Dodgers may be vulnerable right now, but seeing the Royals on the schedule may be just what they need to get back on track. The Royals will try to cobble together a pitching staff to face one of the top lineups in baseball, and pray they catch the Dodgers on an off-night.
