Dodgers try to seek redemption against the Cardinals in a 3-game set

The Dodgers continue their 10-game home stand by welcoming the Cardinals into town.

The last time these two teams met, the Dodgers were swept in a 4-game series without much of a fight. However, it happened nearly four months ago (woah). Since then, LA has only been swept two more times, both in 2-game sets against the Angels. Which goes to show how much the Dodgers actually win.

It just so happens the Dodgers will be sending out two of their top prospects to pitch against the Cards, since two of the starting pitchers (Ross Stripling and Hyun-Jin Ryu) are on the injured list. Clayton Kershaw will pitch between the two youngsters to even out the playing field.

St. Louis is six games over .500 and second place in the National League Central division and if the season were to end today, they would be the top team in the NL Wild Card. They are 5-5 in their last ten games and have lost their last two contests.

One player to look out for on the opposing side is Paul Goldschmidt. He’s the guy we all know too well, the guy who destroys the Dodgers in all chances he gets. In his career against the Dodgers, he has a batting line of .297/.372/.545, which doesn’t seem like much. That is, until you realize his 32 career home runs are the most he has compared to all other teams in the MLB.

Game one: Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 5.63 ERA) vs. Michael Wacha (6-4, 5.15 ERA)

Monday, Aug. 5 - 7:10 p.m. PDT // TV: SportsNet LA

Tony Gonsolin gets his first Dodger Stadium start in the series opener against the Cardinals. The last time Gonsolin got an LA Dodgers start was on June 26 in Arizona. It wasn’t a pretty four innings, but it did have a lot to do with the defense behind him. The Diamondbacks dinged him for six runs (four earned), including a home run to Eduardo Escobar.

On a brighter note, the 25-year-old right hander is coming off of an impressive 4-inning save at Coors Field. He held the Rockies to one run from three hits and he didn’t deliver a walk.

Up against Gonsolin will be Michael Wacha, who is returning to the starting rotation after appearing in three games out of the bullpen. Wacha earned a no decision in his start against the Dodgers earlier this season, despite giving up a boatload of runs. He allowed the Dodgers to score seven runs on eight hits, including three home runs to players who will not be up against him on Monday (Kiké Hernández, David Freese and Walker Buehler).

Wacha doesn’t fare well against the Dodgers in the regular season, with a 1-4 record and 6.75 ERA in seven career starts.

Game two: Clayton Kershaw (10-2, 2.85 ERA) vs. Miles Mikolas (7-11, 4.00 ERA)

Tuesday, Aug. 6 - 7:10 p.m. PDT // TV: SportsNet LA

Clayton Kershaw gets the nod in game two, ready to take on the Cards at home. Kershaw does his best work at the Ravine, with a 7-0 record and 2.35 ERA this season. The southpaw is coming off of a start that looked a little rough around the edges. He pitched his six inning minimum against the Padres, but allowed two runs to score from six hits (including a homer) and a whopping five walks.

Kershaw is decent in his regular season career against St. Louis, going 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA in 17 total games. Postseason is a different story. But they aren’t in the postseason yet, so we won’t go there.

The Cardinals are sending out Miles Mikolas to the mound to face Kershaw. Mikolas’ most recent start came on July 31 against the Cubs, and although he pitched a good game, he earned a loss because he didn’t get any run support. He went 5 ²⁄₃ innings and held the Cubs to just one run from six hits and a walk.

The right hander tossed six innings and allowed three runs the last time he faced the Dodgers this season, earning a win in the start.

Game three: Dustin May (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Jack Flaherty (5-6, 3.93 ERA)

Wednesday, Aug. 7 - 12:10 p.m. PDT // TV: YouTube

Dustin May gets another crack at a major league start on Wednesday, closing out the series versus the Cardinals. He earned a loss against the Padres in his first outing, pitching 5 ²⁄₃ innings and giving up four runs (three earned) from nine hits. Though his pitching line didn’t look too impressive, he showed true signs of potential. He showed off his fantastic sinker that he throws in the mid-upper 90s and he settled into his role quickly.

Southern California native Jack Flaherty will be up against the Dodgers on Wednesday for the Cards. He is fresh off a win over the Cubs where he allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings. The righty only allowed two walks and dealt nine strikeouts in that start. Flaherty also started against the Dodgers earlier this year, earning a victory for a six-inning, one run outing.