Reds brace for Dodgers, Bellinger
CINCINNATI -- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is at a loss for words when it comes to rookie left fielder Cody Bellinger, who hit three home runs with a double and five RBI in the three-game series at Cleveland.
Bellinger leads all National League rookies with 18 home runs.
"I don't know what else I can say," Roberts said. "I've tried to use all the words I can think of to describe him. For a young player to impact a championship caliber team like this, he's exceeded our expectations. And the best part is he's going to continue to get better."
Bellinger homered three times during a three-game sweep of Cincinnati last weekend. Now he gets to take some swings against the Reds in homer-friendly Great American Ball Park, where the Dodgers begin a weekend series Friday night.
The Reds (29-36) are hoping to get back on track.
After a four-game sweep of the National League rival St. Louis Cardinals at home, the Reds fell flat during a West Coast road swing, losing six straight games including three at Dodger Stadium.
"We played some good games in these six games, but, however, we lost all six and that's not a good sign," Reds manager Bryan Price told MLB.com.
The Dodgers (41-26) lost 12-5 on Thursday afternoon at Cleveland, but still managed to take two of three from the defending American League champions in their park. Los Angeles has won six of its last seven.
"I thought that we did a really nice job on the offensive side," Roberts said. "To win two out of three here against a good ballclub, we still feel like we have the momentum."
Speaking of momentum, Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood looks to remain unbeaten when the takes the mound Friday. Wood is 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA in 11 appearances including nine starts. He has allowed one earned run or fewer in eight of his appearances with 67 strikeouts and only 15 walks.
In a scheduling oddity, Wood faces Cincinnati in consecutive appearances. On Saturday, Wood allowed three earned runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 Dodgers' victory. He struck out seven with no walks while earning a no-decision.
"I felt good and I thought my stuff was good," said Wood, who was activated from the disabled list prior to that game. "I was pretty gassed there that last inning. But I felt good overall."
Friday will be Wood's fifth career appearance and fourth start against the Reds, going 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA. He has 17 strikeouts and only seven walks while limiting them to a .194 batting average.
Cincinnati counters with right-hander Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.34) who will make his 11th straight start for the Reds. He has faced the Dodgers twice in his career with mixed results. Last August 19, he tossed five shutout innings against them in a 9-2 victory. On Sunday, he gave up a pair of home runs through five innings and received a no-decision in a 9-7 loss.
The Dodgers have won or split the past five series against the Reds, who have been swept in each of their past two series at Dodgers Stadium.
Cincinnati is hoping for better luck at home where they are 20-29 against the Dodgers since Great American Ball Park opened in 2003. Los Angeles won five of seven games against Cincinnati last season.
