Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers had their 11-game winning streak last night behind a strong performance by Mike Foltynewicz and some timely offense by the Braves.
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Braves
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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CF
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Inciarte |
LF
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Taylor | |
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2B
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Camargo |
SS
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Seager | |
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1B
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Freeman |
3B
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Turner | |
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LF
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Kemp |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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C
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Flowers |
2B
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Forsythe | |
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RF
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Markakis |
CF
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Hernandez | |
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3B
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Rodriguez | C | Grandal | |
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SS
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Swanson |
RF
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Puig | |
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P
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Garcia (L) |
P
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Wood (L) |
So, the Dodgers turn to their stopper to end this losing “streak” and get them back on track.
Alex Wood is facing his former team for the second time since the big 13-player trade two years ago. The first time was in Atlanta April 19, 2016, when he allowed seven hits, six runs (three earned) over four innings. But, as we all know, he’s an entirely different pitcher now than he was before.
Wood has gone six or more innings in each of his last five starts (6.6 IP/GS) and is on the cusp of being among qualified pitching leaders. Barring anything unforeseen, he should get there in his next start and should be at or near the top in ERA and FIP. You know, if you’re into that kind of thing.
What’s more impressive is he’s averaged nearly seven innings per start on just 89 pitches in those starts. He’s been really efficient and the Dodgers should soon start prepping for how they’re going to handle him in the postseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Dodgers limited his pitch count for the remainder of the season while hoping he stays efficient. He’s averaging 86.6 pitches per start this season, so he should be good for 100 come October, if needed.
The lineup tonight is a little interesting. Austin Barnes had been getting starts against left-handed pitching of late, but Yasmani Grandal gets the nod tonight. That might be partly because the Braves were rumored to be sending Jaime Garcia to the Twins, but that hasn’t been officially announced just yet. But, Enrique Hernandez still gets the start in center field over Joc Pederson. Shrug. The rest of the lineup is pretty status quo.
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Adrian Gonzalez has begun taking ground balls. Expected to return before Sept. 1.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) July 21, 2017
Sure, why not. If Adrian Gonzalez can come back and be healthy, he’d be quite the pinch-hitter and/or designated hitter in the World Series. But there’s no way he supplants Cody Bellinger now. Chris Taylor and/or Logan Forsythe could see their playing time reduced if Gonzalez draws starts against right-handed pitching upon his return.
Ethier running, throwing. Still shooting for Sept. 1 return.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 21, 2017
Speaking of potential pinch-hitters/World Series DHs … but seriously, I feel a little bad for Andre Ethier. Without his injuries the last two years, though, we might not know who Taylor or Andrew Toles are, and Bellinger wouldn’t have been promoted so soon.
Speaking of Tolesy:
Roberts said Andrew Toles' knee rehab is going well. Will return in Spring.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 21, 2017
Obvious statement: That’s good to hear.
Scott Kazmir went home to consult with a specialist about his mechanics. Tuesday will mark 30 days since his rehab assignment began.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) July 21, 2017
Ooh, sounds sexy. Scott Kazmir is still trying to make a comeback. With a year left on his deal, it makes sense. Still, it’s best not to expect much from him this season.
LAD Minor League RHP Ivan Vieitez of Single-A Rancho Cucamonga received 50-game suspension after positive test for Ritalinic Acid.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 21, 2017
Ivan Vieitez, the Dodgers’ 27th-round pick in 2015, was not ranked on in my Top 100 this year or last. He wasn’t much of a prospect, even before this suspension. It sucks he got suspended for taking medication for ADHD, but MLB is pretty strict with their policy on drugs. He needed to get it approved.
