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Preview: Clayton Kershaw’s First Career Win Vs. A’s Can Give Dodgers Series Sweep

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

After picking up their first win in Oakland since July 2001, the Los Angeles Dodgers can now complete a sweep of the Athletics in their two-game Interleague set and win the season series.

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If Clayton Kershaw factors into the decision, he can earn his first career win against the A’s and 150th overall. While receiving a win or loss in three starts, Kershaw has allowed just two runs and collected 22 strikeouts over 20.2 innings pitched while holding Oakland batters to a .171 average.

Kershaw last faced the A’s in August 2015, allowing one run in seven innings of what finished as a loss for the Dodgers.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner will look to add to what’s been an impressive stretch since returning from the 10-day disabled list in late June. Through eight such starts, he’s 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA, and 45 strikeouts against eight walks. Los Angeles has won six of the eight games.

Oakland counters with Mike Fiers, who memorably threw a no-hitter against the Dodgers in 2015, when he was a member of the Houston Astros. The A’s claimed Fiers off waivers from the Detroit Tigers and dealt two players to be named later or cash considerations for the right-hander.

Fiers went 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA, 4.65 FIP and 1.24 WHIP in 21 starts for the Tigers. He makes his A’s debut after last pitching (two innings) on Aug. 1.

Justin Turner gets a night off his feet as he serves as the designated hitter. Manny Machado slides over to third base, while Chris Taylor fills in at shortstop.

Dodgers lineup:

LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Manny Machado
DH: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Brian Dozier
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Max Muncy
SS: Chris Taylor

A’s lineup:

SS: Marcus Semien
3B: Matt Chapman
2B: Jed Lowrie
DH: Khris Davis
LF: Michael Canha
1B: Matt Olson
RF: Stephen Piscotty
CF: Ramon Laureano
C: Jonathan Lucroy

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com