Rockies @ Dodgers June 25, 2017: McCarthy for the 10th straight

Photo: Sarah Wexler

This series is one of the most important the Dodgers have played so far this year, and to this point, it’s gone about as well as they could have hoped for. Today, Brandon McCarthy (2.87 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 3.80 DRA) takes the mound to try to help secure the Dodgers’ tenth straight win and third consecutive series sweep, all while staving off the still-close Rockies (and Diamondbacks) in the standings.

Rockies
Dodgers
1:10 p.m.
Los Angeles
CF
 Blackmon
LF
Taylor
2B
 LeMahieu
SS
Hernández
3B
 Arenado
3B
Turner
1B
Reynolds
LF
Bellinger
RF
Tapia
1B
Forsythe
LF
Desmond
2B
Barnes
SS
Valaika C Grandal
C
Wolters
CF
Pederson
P
Anderson (L)
P
 McCarthy (R)

McCarthy has been pretty excellent this year. His opponent, Tyler Anderson (5.75 ERA, 5.01 FIP, 4.97 DRA), has been less so. Anderson’s strikeout and walk rates are slightly better than league average; his main problem has been the home run ball. While this may seem unsurprising for someone who pitches for the Rockies, interestingly enough, nine of the thirteen home runs Anderson has allowed this year have been away from Coors. Anderson seems to have struggled to adjust to the elevation phenomenon, as his groundball rate is down six percent from last year.

Anderson hit the disabled list in early June with left knee inflammation, and this is his first start since being reactivated. Anderson has made three starts against the Dodgers this year, twice at Coors and once at Dodger Stadium. In 15.2 IP against the Dodgers this year, he’s allowed 12 runs (10 earned) with a WHIP of 1.468. The Rockies have lost all three of those starts.

Yasiel Puig gets the day off, as his hamstring has been bothering him. Corey Seager sits once again, although he’s available today, if the situation calls for it.

——

Our own Stacie is credentialed at Dodger Stadium today, and she’s providing all the scoops, including that Mike Freeman is being activated as Franklin Gutiérrez heads to the DL:

Freeman, a 29-year-old infielder/outfielder, is batting .295/.338/.361 through 20 games in Oklahoma City this season. He’s been playing mostly shortstop there, though he’s also played some left field as well. That makes him a prime candidate to come up as an outfielder goes down and Seager deals with the hamstring strain.

Gutiérrez is experiencing “an episode of ankylosis spondylitis,” that form of arthritis that’s plagued him for some time and has visibly affected his playing ability.

About Sarah Wexler

Sarah Wexler is a native Angeleno and longtime Dodger fan. She began blogging about baseball in 2012 on her Tumblr, New Grass On The Field, where she covered an array of topics but especially enjoyed exploring baseball history. She is now a reporter/producer for MLB.com. She earned her master's degree in Sports Management from Cal State Long Beach. She graduated from New York University in 2014 with a bachelor's in History and a minor in American Studies. She's an avid Springsteen fan, which is a big boost to her baseball writer cred.