Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Fueled by a three-run Freddy Galvis homer and a pinch-hit bases-clearing double by Ryan Howard, the Phillies stunned the Dodgers last Wednesday in their 6-2 win pushing them back to second place behind the Giants a day after they finally caught up with San Francisco in the standings.
That stung, but the Dodgers did take two of three against the Phillies at Dodger Stadium last week. The Dodgers won their fourth straight game and moved into a tie atop the NL West behind offense powered by Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner and Yasmani Grandal homers before they dropped the series finale. They look to pick up another series win when they take on the Phils, who are riding their own four-game winning streak, in a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park starting Tuesday evening.
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Dodgers
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Phillies
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4:05 p.m. PT
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Philadelphia
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2B
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Utley |
2B
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Hernandez | |
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SS
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Seager
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CF
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Herrera | |
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3B
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Turner |
LF
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Altherr | |
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RF
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Reddick |
3B
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Franco | |
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1B
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Gonzalez |
1B
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Howard | |
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C
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Grandal |
C
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Rupp | |
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CF
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Pederson | SS | Galvis | |
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LF
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Kendrick |
RF
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Bourjos | |
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P
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Maeda (R)
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P
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Velasquez (R)
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The Pirates defeated the Giants on Monday while the Dodgers were idle, and they are now only 1/2 game ahead in the NL West. With another San Francisco loss and a Dodgers win, L.A. could take sole possession of first place on Tuesday night.
The series opener in Philly is a rematch between Kenta Maeda (11-6, 3.31 ERA, 3.60 FIP) and Vincent Velasquez (8-4, 3.94 ERA, 3.77 FIP), who faced off in the second game of the series a week ago in L.A.
Maeda was not at his best last time out against the Phillies — although he did pick up his eleventh win — going just five innings and allowing three runs on six hits. Maeda’s animated reaction each time he allows a home run reflects his ardor on the mound. He’s been the most consistent Dodger starter amidst a season chock full of injuries.
Velasquez, a Pomona native, didn’t fare well in front of a hometown crowd when he served up nine runs on 11 hits including three home runs in 4 2/3 innings. Although the Dodgers’ offense roughed up the right-hander last time (not to mention his overall 15.19 ERA vs. L.A. in 5 1/3 career innings), Velasquez has pitched very well at home this season (4-1, 1.72 ERA, 11.5 SO/9).
Tuesday will also mark the return of Chase Utley to Philadelphia since being traded to the Dodgers on August 19, 2015. He has hit .293/.375/.505 over 756 games at Citizen Banks Park. The veteran second baseman collected three hits including a home run against his former team during the series at Dodger Stadium. Utley is leading off in Dave Roberts‘ lineup for the series opener.
Turner returns to the lineup, batting third, after missing two games with a right hand contusion.
For your daily dose of roster moves:
#Dodgers have activated RHP Casey Fien from the disabled list, optioned RHP Brock Stewart to Oklahoma City and released IF/OF Zach Walters.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 16, 2016
And a pitching rotation update:
Dave Roberts said Ross Stripling will start Thur for #Dodgers. Bud Norris Fri in Cincy. Brett Anderson’s wrist is fine. He goes Sat
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 16, 2016
If the Dodgers take over first place we should all celebrate with cheesesteaks.
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