The Dodgers are just one game behind the Diamondbacks in first, but that lead could change this weekend as the Dodgers head to Phoenix to take on the Dbacks in a three game series. The Dodgers have dropped four of their last six, but a win on Friday could tie them for the NL West lead.
The injury woes continue to haunt the Dodgers even into the second half, as closer Takashi Saito is out for at least six weeks. A sprained right ligament will sideline him for at least that long; Saito is also talking of shoulder surgery which would put a giant question mark on his return. Johnathan Broxton can easily fill Saito’s shoes as the closer, but that leaves uncertainly at who will be and who will successfully be the 8th inning man. Hong Chih Kuo is available for the spot, or Joe Beimel, but also Chan Ho Park, who could potentially be taken out of the rotation and brought to the bullpen.
A potential lead-tying win is in the hands of Hiroki Kuroda, who takes the mound in the first game of the second half, and looks to give the Dodgers a win after losing four of five to the Dbacks so far this season. Kuroda is 2-0 in his three starts since coming off the DL, including a near-perfect one-hitter on July 7. Kuroda will face lefty Doug Davis, who is 3-4 with a 3.80 ERA. Davis is 4-2 lifetime with a 1.33 ERA against the Dodgers.
