As the Dodgers head into their second game with the Reds tonight, odds are it will be a low-scoring affair. The Dodgers have combined wonderful pitching and a nearly nonexistent offense into the second fewest runs per game since the All-Star break:
Lowest Scoring Games Since All-Star Break | ||||
Team | Gms | RS | RA | Runs/Gm |
Mets | 34 | 99 | 130 | 6.74 |
Dodgers | 35 | 107 | 134 | 6.89 |
Oakland | 32 | 119 | 103 | 6.94 |
Seattle | 34 | 105 | 142 | 7.26 |
Atlanta | 34 | 153 | 114 | 7.85 |
San Francisco | 35 | 143 | 132 | 7.86 |
There have been a total of five runs or less scored by both teams combined in 18 of 35 Dodger games since the All-Star break.
Chad Billingsley heads to the mound in his fifth attempt at his 10th win of the season. He has allowed six total runs in the previous four starts, over 25 2/3 innings, but has fallen victim to pour run support. In two of the games, the Dodgers didn't score a run, and in the other two the Dodgers scored a total of four runs. In both games, Billingsley left the game in or after the seventh inning with a lead, only to see it blown by the bullpen.
Johnny Cueto has been the Reds best starting pitcher this season. He's 11-3 with a 3.38 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and 4.36 xFIP. In his last 10 starts, he has been even better, going 5-2 with a 1.99 ERA. However, he hasn't pitched since August 10. He was suspended for seven games for his role in the brawl with the Cardinals earlier this month.
Get your guesses in for Xeifrank's game simulation here.
Game Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: KCAL