Dodgers @ D’Backs Sept. 13, 2015: Going for the series win

The Dodgers are going for the series win the rubber game of this 3-game series in Arizona. They’ll employ a less spring training lineup than at other times this week, but it’s still kinda Marchy.

Dodgers
D’Backs
1:10 p.m.
Phoenix, Ariz.
LF
Ruggiano
CF
Pollock
2B
Peraza
RF
Inciarte
3B
Turner
1B
Goldschmidt
1B
Gonzalez
LF
Peralta
RF
Van Slyke
C
Saltalamacchia
SS
Seager
3B
Lamb
C
Ellis
2B
Owings
CF
Pederson
SS
Ahmed
P
Greinke (R)
P
Corbin (L)

Corey Seager is coming off a 4-for-4 night and has reached base safely not only in his last nine plate appearances, but also his eight starts. He’s facing Patrick Corbin, who missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It should be a nice test for the youngster.

Joc Pederson is in the lineup against a lefty, which is news lately. I’m pretty safe in saying Pederson against a lefty — any lefty — is better than Chris Heisey in the same scenario. The Dodgers can make up for whatever they might lose offensively having Pederson against a good lefty with all-time Dodger great Justin Ruggiano leading off. He’s already been worth half a win in his seven games and is slashing a ridiculous .375/.444/1.063(!) with a 303 wRC+. That’ll play (against lefties).

Some news, courtesy of the beat writers.

https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/643073921944653825

Not Barwin! Troy Tulowitzki might be out, so the Blue Jays are just getting some depth for the stretch run. There’s no question Darwin Barney can pick it at second base (and a little at shortstop), but his bat isn’t MLB-caliber. David Young of True Blue LA brings up an interesting point.

https://twitter.com/DavidYoungTBLA/status/643088370550181888

It’s fun to think about it in those terms. Well, I find it kinda fun, but then again, I’m a boring person.

https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/643116611092611072

Yasiel Puig has been rehabbing at Camelback Ranch, so it’s nice to see him back with his teammates. He isn’t any closer to returning, unfortunately. Ronald Torreyes was acquired from the Blue Jays in the middle of June and has been on the 40-man roster all season. Between Double- and Triple-A, he performed pretty well: .295/.347/.406 in 75 games. He can play shortstop and second base and just turned 23 on Sept. 2, so it really isn’t surprising to see him still on the roster. He won’t displace Seager, Jimmy Rollins or Enrique Hernandez, but he’s depth, which is the word of this season. With his promotion, Zach Lee and Adam Liberatore are the only Dodgers on the 40-man roster who aren’t on the active roster (not counting guys on the 15- and 60-day disabled lists). I’m betting that will change soon.

Speaking of Rollins …

https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/643126455174455296

Rollins’ misfortune is Seager’s gain, as Don Mattingly has already said Rollins will be the starter when he’s healthy. Seeing as I was spot-on with my “Don’t bring up Seager” opinion, I’m going ride the pine on this one.

https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/643126554554273792

Sure, why not.

Of course he will. One bad start shouldn’t prevent the Dodgers from starting Alex Wood again. Going simply off that logic, Clayton Kershaw would have been banished to the bullpen after his nightmare starting in Arizona last year. Check. Mate.

And finally, Cody Bellinger won the first game of the California League playoffs last night with this:

He good.

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.