D-Backs @ Dodgers April 14, 2016: Joc Pederson sits against a lefty, again

Ross Stripling is making his home debut, and I wrote earlier about the high expectations he has set for himself. Don’t be upset when he allows a hit or two.

D-backs
Dodgers
7:10 p.m. PT
Los Angeles
2B
Segura
LF
Hernandez
CF
Brito
RF
Puig
1B
Goldschmidt
1B
Gonzalez
RF
Peralta
3B
Kendrick
LF
Drury
SS
Seager
3B
Lamb
CF
Thompson
C
Hermann
C
Ellis
P
Ray (L)
2B
Barnes
SS
Ahmed
P
Stripling (R)

He’s facing a Diamondback offense that was stifled by Alex Wood on Wednesday night. Of course, it looks a little different with David Peralta and Socrates Brito back in the starting lineup. And of course, there’s that Paul Goldschmidt guy…

Like clockwork, most of the lefties sit against a left-handed pitcher. Again, Joc Pederson is out of the lineup, as is Chase Utley. One makes more sense than the other. I really hope this “Pederson sitting against left-handed pitching” doesn’t become a thing … but it has happened at every opportunity thus far.

I’m all for getting Trayce Thompson some playing time, but not at the expense of Pederson’s development. I know Enrique Hernandez absolutely must play against lefties, but how is Pederson going to get any better against left-handed pitchers if he isn’t playing against them? At least Corey Seager is playing against them. Guess Pederson will get back in the lineup tomorrow night against Madison Bumgar … sigh (ht/ Mike … who?).

Justin Turner is getting the night off because he took a slider off the hand last night. It shouldn’t be a lingering injury. Yasmani Grandal isn’t playing because the Dodgers are, likely, easing him back into the lineup. I missed it, but apparently he was keeping his forearms warm or icing them … either way, it’s smart to ease a guy like him back into the lineup. He has a premium bat and the Dodgers need him to be healthy.

Roster move!

This should be a short stay for Adam Liberatore, who joins J.P. Howell as a second lefty out of the bullpen. Chris Hatcher will probably be back within the next three days.

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About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.