The Dodgers have had six opportunities to sweep a series (of three games or longer) this season, and they have finished the job five times. They enter tonight's game against the Reds with the chance to win their 12th straight game against Cincinnati at Dodger Stadium.
John Labombarda of Elias Sports Bureau tells us "the club's 11-game home winning streak over the Reds is the longest home winning streak against one opponent since the Dodgers won 11-in-a-row against the Pirates over the 1977 and ‘78 seasons. Los Angeles won 12 in a row at home over the Phillies in 1958 and ’59."
Chad Billingsley is coming off of the worst start of his career (nine hits and six runs while getting only five outs, a game score of 13). Tonight we will see if Billingsley was able to correct the mechanical flaws in his delivery or if the concerns of having a 6.55 ERA over his last six starts will continue.
The Reds will start Bronson Arroyo tonight, who has struggled this season (5.07 ERA, 5.50 FIP, 4.92 x-FIP), but has been very good in his last two outings, allowing no runs in 16 innings.
Matt Kemp is hitting .415/.508/.660 in July, with 12 runs and 14 RBI in 15 games.
James Loney has seven home runs this year, yet none at home. Willie Davis had 11 home runs in 1969, all on the road, and as far as I can tell that is the most home runs by an LA Dodger all on the road.
I thought this tidbit from Mark Sheldon of MLB.com was cool:
Reds manager Dusty Baker visited on Tuesday with former Dodgers star Tommy Davis, whom he has long admired. "That's why I wear No. 12," said Baker. Davis wore No. 12 for the Dodgers in the 1960s.
Get your guesses in for tonight's "Clogging The Bases" here.
Game Time: 7:10pm
TV: Prime Ticket (check out Jon Weisman on "Dodgers Live," between 6:30 and 7pm, promoting his book)