Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
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Dodgers
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Angels
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7:05 p.m. PT
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Anaheim
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2B
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Utley
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3B
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Escobar
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3B
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Turner
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RF
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Calhoun
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SS
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Seager
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CF
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Trout
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1B
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Kendrick
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DH
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Pujols
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CF
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Pederson
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1B
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Cron
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LF
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Thompson
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2B
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Giavotella
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C
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Grandal
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LF |
Ortega
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RF
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Puig
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C
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Perez
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DH
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Crawford
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SS
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Ryan
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P
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Bolsinger (R)
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P
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Tropeano (R)
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2015 was sort of a rollercoaster year for Mike Bolsinger. It started off very well for the right-handed pitcher. After two starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bolsinger was called up to the big club and, between April 23 and July 29, made 16 starts (with an intermittent Triple-A reassignment). In those games with Los Angeles, Bolsinger posted an ERA of 2.83 (and a nearly identical FIP of 2.90) and a WHIP of 1.24 across a total of 89 innings.
In August of 2015, the Dodgers traded for Alex Wood and Mat Latos, which resulted in Bolsinger being sent back to OKC. He returned to L.A. in September for five starts, but never quite found his rhythm again, recording an ERA of 7.08 (8.35 FIP) in 20 and 1/3 IP. Also noticeable was Bolsinger’s increased walk rate, which jumped up to 13.7% for that month (from 8.5% prior to his demotion).
Bolsinger made three appearances this past Spring Training before going down with a strained oblique and starting the season on the DL. He began his rehab with OKC on May 7, and, after two starts there (8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB), is back with the Dodgers for a spot start in the midst of 20 straight games with no off days.
Bolsinger’s activation came with the news that IF Charlie Culberson was optioned to Triple-A. The Dodgers are now carrying 13 pitchers (six starters, seven relievers), so it’s likely that Bolsinger won’t stay around beyond this start.
The Dodgers will be up against Nick Tropeano, who has yet to last six full innings in a game this year. The 25-year-old righty has pitched a total of 36 and 2/3 innings across his seven starts, recording an ERA of 3.68 (5.18 FIP) and a WHIP of 1.64. Tropeano spent last season going back and forth between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake City. He made a total of seven starts for the Angels, in which his ERA was 3.82 (2.60 FIP).
With Adrian Gonzalez still dealing with lower back tightness, Howie Kendrick will once again get the start at first base. Carl Crawford serves as tonight’s designated hitter for the Dodgers, batting 9th.
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