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After watching their starting pitcher Friday night last just five outs, the Dodgers will turn to their top two starters to pick up the bullpen in the final two games against the Reds. Zack Greinke gets the call for the Dodgers on Saturday morning in the middle game of the series at Great American Ball Park.
The Dodgers have lost their last two games, but they haven't lost three straight since June 8-10 against the Braves (two games) and Diamondbacks (one game) at home.
Greinke has won each of his last six starts and the Dodgers are undefeated in his last seven starts, as the right-hander hasn't allowed more than two runs in any start since July 25, his last defeat. That loss was to the Reds, who scored four times in seven innings against Greinke.
But even with that start included Greinke has allowed 13 total runs in his last 11 starts, with a 1.47 ERA and an 8-1 record. The Dodgers are 19-4 in his starts this season.
The last Dodgers pitcher to win seven consecutive starts was Kevin Brown from May 14 to June 17, 2003.
That loss by Greinke on July 25 came at the hands of Mat Latos, who has pitched quite well against the Dodgers in his career. Latos pitched into the eighth inning on July 25 and allowed just one run, and has allowed more than two earned runs just twice in 10 career starts against Los Angeles.
Latos has a 2.32 career ERA against the Dodgers with 59 strikeouts in 62 innings, but the good news for the Dodgers is that they have won six of his 10 starts against them.
Skip Schumaker is 5-for-11 (.455) with a double against Latos and gets the start at second base on Saturday. Juan Uribe is 4-for-19 (.211) with a double against Latos and sits in favor of Michael Young, who hasn't yet faced Latos.
Brandon Phillips sits for the Reds, with old friend Cesar Izturis getting the call at second base for Cincinnati. Izturis is hitting .178/.236/.220 this season in 56 games.
Game info
Time: 10:05 a.m.
TV: Fox