Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
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Dodgers
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Rockies
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5:10 p.m. PT
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Colorado
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2B
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Utley
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CF
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Blackmon | |
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SS
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Seager
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2B
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LeMahieu | |
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3B
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Turner
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3B
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Arenado | |
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1B
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Gonzalez
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LF
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Dahl | |
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C
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Grandal |
RF
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Parra | |
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RF
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Reddick |
1B
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Cardullo | |
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CF
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Pederson | C | Hundley | |
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LF
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Toles |
SS
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Adames | |
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P
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Norris (R)
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P
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Hoffman (R)
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The Dodgers have not been having a lot of fun in Colorado this series. They’ve played 18 innings in the most hitter-friendly ballpark in baseball and, remarkably, managed just one run. Fortunately, this is the last game the Dodgers will play at Coors Field this year, and if — knock on wood — they can get out without any major injuries sustained, that’ll be a victory in and of itself.
After getting shut out by Tyler Anderson (and the Rockies bullpen) earlier today, the Dodgers will attempt to avoid the sweep behind Bud Norris. Rich Hill, who was slated to start yesterday’s rain-postponed game, was originally announced as the starter for this match, but … well … this:
Bud Norris will start game 2. After 41 pitch warmup yesterday, they didn't feel it was best to start Rich Hill. Weekend a possibility.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 31, 2016
Rich Hill could start this weekend, but the blister showed "a little heat and tenderness" after warming up yesterday.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 31, 2016
Norris made his Dodger debut against the Rockies in Los Angeles back on July 1, and, according to Game Score, it was the best start of his Dodger career thus far. Norris allowed just two hits and a walk through six scoreless innings while striking out eight. He last pitched on Friday, so he’ll be appearing on regular rest.
For the third straight game, the Dodgers will face a Rockies rookie starter. This time, it’s Jeff Hoffman, a 23-year-old right hander.
Hoffman was a Blue Jays first-round draft pick in 2014 (ninth overall), who came to the Rockies last season as part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade. He throws a four-pitch mix, headlined by a fourseam fastball that averages 96 MPH and touches 99 MPH. Hoffman also throws a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. Per Baseball America:
Hoffman can bring the heat as well as anyone with a fastball that gets up to 99 mph and comfortably sits in the 93-96 range. He commands it well in the lower half of the zone–leading to a 1.19 groundouts-to-air out ratio in his minor league career–and backs it up with a low-80s power curve and a mid-80s changeup that both have plus potential. What has made him even more dangerous this year is increased use of his slider, which was restricted by the Rockies front office last year but is now flying free. It is a pitch that is beginning to draw plus grades with good depth and tilt, and Hoffman is showing the ability to land it in the strike zone or bury it in the dirt to get swings and misses.
This will be Hoffman’s third Major League start. The Rockies lost both of Hoffman’s first two starts. In 10 IP, Hoffman has allowed 11 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits and five walks while striking out five.
After Game 1’s righty-heavy lineup, the Dodgers are going with all lefties in Game 2, with the exception of Justin Turner (and the pitcher’s spot).
Just … score runs, guys. Please. You need to do that to win baseball games.
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