Los Angeles Dodgers vs Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes
The Los Angeles Dodgers own four straight wins but have to be concerned about closer Kenley Jansen, who has allowed at least a run in four straight appearances for the first time in his career. After throwing 22 pitches on Tuesday, Jansen will likely be rested Wednesday when the Dodgers conclude their brief two-game interleague series against the host Texas Rangers.
Brian Dozier homered and Manny Machado drove in four runs in Tuesday's 8-4 victory, but Jansen gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in his fourth appearance since coming off the disabled list Aug. 20. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hoping to have Ross Stripling (lower back) available in the late innings Tuesday, but the reliever's expected return from the disabled list was pushed back to the weekend. The Dodgers hope to cut into their one-game deficit in the National League West on Wednesday when they take on a Texas club that has lost three straight contests and five of their last seven. Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus snapped a 2-for-27 slump with two hits on Tuesday while Ronald Guzman went 2-for-4 with two RBIs from the ninth spot in the order.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (7-6, 3.60 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (10-6, 4.40)
Wood is pitching on three days of extra rest after having his scheduled start on Sunday pushed back so Roberts could have his four top starters face Arizona later this week. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 12 straight outings. Wood is 3-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 20 career interleague games (15 starts) - including seven innings of one-run ball in a start versus Texas in 2014.
Minor won his fourth straight decision last Wednesday after allowing one hit over six scoreless frames in a 4-2 win over Oakland. The 30-year-old native of Tennessee has gone 6-2 with a 3.23 ERA in his last 12 outings since the beginning of June. Matt Kemp is 3-for-14 against Minor, who has issued two-or-fewer walks in his last seven straight starts and owns a 1-2 record and 2.56 ERA in seven career games (six starts) versus the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner is 9-for-20 with nine RBIs in his last four games.
2. Texas OF Delino DeShields (finger) began a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Frisco and is expected to rejoin the team next week.
3. Dodgers OF Joc Pederson (knee) returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday and went 2-for-6 while batting leadoff.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Rangers 3