Reds @ Dodgers May 24, 2016: Bolsinger’s back and Wright debuts

The Dodgers look for their third straight win Tuesday night as they take on the Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mike Bolsinger gets the call again after Ross Stripling, who pitched admirably in the 17-inning marathon of a game on Sunday, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Still feeling the aftermath of the extra-inning contest in San Diego, the Dodgers’ pitching staff received a bit of relief thanks to another quick Clayton Kershaw complete game shutout on Monday. His reign of dominance continues.

A series win at home would go a long way to set the tone for the difficult road trip that lies ahead for the team, starting this Friday in New York. Yasiel Puig‘s RBI single in the 17th inning on Sunday could be a turning point for him and many of his teammates who have struggled this season offensively, especially at home.

Reds
Dodgers
7:10 p.m. PT
Los Angeles
SS  Cozart  2B  Utley
 1B  Votto  SS  Seager
 2B  Phillips  3B  Turner
RF  Bruce  1B  Gonzalez
LF  Duvall  LF  Thompson
 3B  Suarez  CF  Pederson
CF  Hamilton  RF  Puig
 C  Barnhart  C  Grandal
P
Wright (R)
P
 Bolsinger (R)

 

Bolsinger pitched 4 1/3 innings in his first start of the year with the Dodgers on May 18 against the Angels in Anaheim. The Dodgers fell 8-1 to the Halos, and Bolsinger was tagged with the loss. He allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks on 69 pitches, allowing a home run to Mike Trout.

He has never faced the Reds, and Jordan Pacheco is the only current Cincy player to have ever faced Bolsinger.

Daniel Wright will be making his MLB debut on Tuesday night for the Reds after they placed intended starter Tim Adleman on the disabled list with an oblique strain Friday. Like the Dodgers, the Reds have had to dip into their organizational depth recently.

Wright was already pitching well in the minors as both a starter and reliever. Drafted in the 10th round of the 2013 draft out of Arkansas State, the 25-year old right-hander has a combined 0.79 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in 34 innings between four starts and six relief appearances this year in Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville.

Wright was primarily a starter 2014-2015. Then the Reds moved him into the Pensacola bullpen in 2016. He made a couple of spot starts, striking out 12 in 11 innings of work. He then went back to the bullpen where he made three more appearances before being promoted to Louisville.

The Reds’ pitching staff is in shambles and has the worst ERA in the majors (5.48). Bryan Price needs Wright to be able to throw strikes consistently. He has good control and pitched a shutout without walking anyone in his last start for Louisville.

Trayce Thompson is in left field and starting in his ninth consecutive game for the Dodgers. Yasmani Grandal returns to the lineup. He was sidelined after he fouled a pitch off his ankle on Saturday. Howie Kendrick looks like he is coming around offensively, but he sits with Utley starting at second base.

Hyun-jin Ryu continues his rehab assignment with OKC.

The Reds are on the verge of losing nine games in a row, while the Dodgers have a little two-game winning streak. It would be a perfect time for the Dodgers’ offense to make loud noises against the rookie Wright. Since I mentioned that, he’ll probably pitch a shutout.

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About Stacie Wheeler

Stacie Wheeler, born and raised in So Cal, has been writing about the Dodgers since 2010. She wrote daily as the co-editor of Lasorda's Lair for five long years, and she has also written for Dodgers Nation, Dodger Blue 1958 and The Hardball Times. She currently contributes to True Blue LA. Stacie graduated from the University Of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Cinema-Television. You can also watch her videos on her YouTube channel, DishingUpTheDodgers.