Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (39-25) embark on a six-game road trip, starting with a three-game Interleague series against the Indians (31-29) at Progressive Field. It’s the first time the Dodgers have played in Cleveland since 2003. Fresh off a 4-2 homestand that ended with a sweep of the Reds, the Dodgers go for their fifth straight win when they take on the Tribe Tuesday afternoon.
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Dodgers
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Cleveland
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4:10 PM PST
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Cleveland
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DH
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Utley |
2B
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Kipnis | |
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SS
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Seager
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SS
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Lindor | |
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3B
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Turner
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LF
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Brantley | |
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1B
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Bellinger
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1B
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Santana | |
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C
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Grandal |
DH
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Encarnacion | |
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LF
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Taylor |
3B
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Ramirez | |
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2B
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Forsythe | CF | Jackson | |
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CF
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Pederson |
C
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Perez | |
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RF
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Puig |
RF
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Robertson | |
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P
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Kershaw (L)
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P
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Bauer (R) |
Clayton Kershaw (8-2, 2.20 ERA, 3.05 FIP) was pulled after seven innings in his last start, a battle against the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg. He struck out nine batters, allowing one run on three hits in the 2-1 Dodger win. Kershaw makes his first career start at Progressive Field in the series opener, looking to continue his consistently dominant 2017 season.
Let’s take a moment to relish in the Kershaw stats. The supreme southpaw leads the majors in ERA+ (186), he’s third in the majors and first in the National League in ERA (2.20), his 0.90 WHIP is second to Max Scherzer (.085) in the NL, and he’s third in the league in strikeouts (101) and BB/9 (1.40).
Kersh has only faced the Indians once in his career, a no-decision in his sixth major-league game on June 20, 2008 at Dodger Stadium. He allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in five innings. Overall in Interleague play, he is 12-4 with a 2.22 ERA in 28 games with 208 strikeouts in 190 1/3 innings.
Trevor Bauer (5-5, 6.10 ERA, 4.16 FIP), a local out of UCLA, is coming off two straight shortened starts. Last time out against the first place Rockies, Bauer allowed four runs on five hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings. His prior start against the Royals on June 4 was even more abbreviated at just 1 2/3 innings.
Overall against the Dodgers, Bauer is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts (11 2/3 innings). It’s a bit surprising that Hyun-Jin Ryu has two hits in two plate appearances against Bauer, the most hits vs. the right-hander of any current Dodger.
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Joc Pederson returns to the lineup and center field after missing 16 games due to a concussion. Unfortunately the corresponding move is that of Adrian Gonzalez to the 10-day disabled list. This will be Gonzalez’s second DL stint this season. He was previously on the DL May 5-18 with right elbow soreness.
With Gonzo’s absence and the DH rule, Dave Roberts can shuffle around his lineup a bit. Chase Utley will DH, Chris Taylor slides over to left field and Cody Bellinger will man first base.
Thankfully Gonzalez’s herniated disc does not require surgery at this time, but his condition is degenerative. He will seek a second opinion.
Dave Roberts used the words “benign” and “degenerative” describing results of Adrian Gonzalez MRI results.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 13, 2017
Day 2 of the MLB Draft continues on Tuesday. Be sure to check out all of the draft coverage here, including write-ups of first-round draft pick-No. 23 overall- Jeren Kendall out of Vanderbilt and second-round pick RHP Morgan Cooper out of Texas. The Dodgers also selected (C) Connor Wong, (RHP) James Marinan and (RHP) Riley Otteson in rounds 3-5.
