Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Clayton Kershaw turned in another solid start since returning from the IL, but it went to waste as the Dodger offense fell dormant again last night. Cody Bellinger provided the line run on a solo homer, as the Dodgers went 1-13 with runners in scoring position (the one being a Freddie Freeman single that failed to score Gavin Lux from second). The game went into extras, and the Dodgers lost their fifth extra-inning game in five chances this season. Tonight, the Dodgers look to get back in the win column.
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| 4:15 PM | Los Angeles | ||
| CF | Straw | SS | T. Turner |
| SS | Rosario | 1B | Freeman (L) |
| 1B | Miller | DH | Smith |
| DH | Gonzalez | 2B | Muncy (L) |
| RF | Mercado | 3B | J. Turner |
| 2B | Gimenez (L) | CF | Bellinger (L) |
| 3B | Clement | RF | Taylor |
| LF | Kwan (L) | LF | Lux (L) |
| C | Hedges | C | Barnes |
| P | Quantrill (R) | P | Urias (L) |
Julio Urias gets the ball in game two of the series. Urias turned in one of his better outings of the season in a losing effort last time out in San Francisco, striking out a season-high 10 batters in six innings and surrendering two runs and three hits without issuing a walk. Unfortunately, the two runs were two more than the Dodgers were able to put together against Carlos Rodon and the Giant bullpen, so Urias took his sixth loss in nine decisions. Both runs came on home runs, which have plagued Urias in 2022. In 2021, Urias allowed 19 home runs in 185 2/3 innings. So far this season, he’s allowed 12 in 64 1/3 innings. This will be Urias’ first career appearance against the Cleveland franchise.
Cal Quantrill starts for the Guardians. The former Padre was traded (along with Austin Hedges, Owen Miller and Josh Naylor, all of whom played last night) to Cleveland in the trade that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Quantrill has been solid this season, with a 3.38 ERA/4.23 FIP in 66 2/3 innings over 11 starts. He’s completed at least six innings in each of his last nine starts, but has only struck out more than five batters in a game once this season. Much like last Zach Plesac who started last night, Quantrill has one of the worst strikeout rates among qualified pitchers (14.8 percent, the third lowest).
Quantrill is primarily a two-pitch pitcher with both pitches being varieties of a fastball. He throws a sinker 46.2 percent of the time and a cutter 39.2 percent of the time. He drops a changeup 9.7 percent of the time and has thrown a four-seamer and a curveball at times.
Mookie Betts is back in the lineup for the Dodgers after being scratched yesterday with a rib contusion. He wasn’t used as a pinch hitter which made some (me) believe the injury was a bit more serious, so its good to have him back. Austin Barnes catches Urias with Will Smith getting the day off. Jose Ramirez is out of the lineup for the Guardians today.
Betts was scratched again, because the Dodgers hate me and my scheduled posts. Smith will DH and Max Muncy will start at second with Justin Turner starting at third.
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Dustin May threw off the mound at Dodger Stadium today.
May could be a big “trade deadline” acquisition for a Dodger pitching staff thats faced some injuries. May’s been sidelined since last May and per reports, he came off his “simulated innings” with his arm still attached.
May will throw four times before possibly beginning a rehab assignment.
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There’s a new addition at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers unveiled a statue of Sandy Koufax in the centerfield plaza, right next to Jackie Robinson‘s statue. Joe Torre, Mark Walter, Kershaw and Koufax all spoke at the ceremony.
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First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 PM PT and will be shown exclusively on Fox.
