Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers’ penultimate game before the All-Star break is being broadcast on FOX, hence the afternoon start time.
Brandon McCarthy (3.25 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 3.80 DRA) will make his return from the disabled list to try to help the Dodgers (59-29) secure a series victory against the Royals (44-41).
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Royals
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Dodgers
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4:15 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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2B
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Merrifield |
2B
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Utley | |
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RF
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Bonifacio |
SS
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Seager | |
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CF
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Cain |
3B
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Turner | |
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1B
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Hosmer |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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C
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Pérez |
LF
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Taylor | |
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3B
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Moustakas |
CF
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Pederson | |
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SS
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Escobar | C | Grandal | |
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LF
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Gordon |
RF
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Puig | |
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P
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Kennedy (R) |
P
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McCarthy (R) |
McCarthy was reactivated today after missing about a week and a half while dealing with right knee tendonitis. His last start came on June 25 against the Rockies. It was a rough outing, as he allowed four runs in just three innings and made three wild pitches. (The Dodgers won that game, 12-6.)
Ian Kennedy (4.44 ERA, 5.33 FIP, 5.13 DRA) takes the mound for Kansas City. The 32-year-old right hander is in the midst of a rough season. Defying a league-wide trend, his strikeouts are down from years past, and his walk rate is worse than league average.
Kennedy spent 2010 through 2015 with the Diamondbacks and Padres, so he’s seen the Dodgers a fair amount in his career (and you may remember him as the guy who hit Yasiel Puig in the face, then threw at Zack Greinke‘s head). Still, it’s been a little while, as this will be Kennedy’s first time facing the Dodgers since June of 2015.
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The corresponding move to get McCarthy back from the DL was to option Scott Van Slyke back to Triple-A. Van Slyke, who was called up on Thursday, entered that night’s game as a pinch hitter and drew a walk, but was erased on a pickoff.
McCarthy will likely get the first start for the Dodgers following the All-Star break:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said RHP Brandon McCarthy is pencilled in to start 1st game after AS break. Friday in Miami
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 8, 2017
Clayton Kershaw, who starts tomorrow, may get some extra down time:
Roberts indicated Clayton Kershaw will get an extended break at the AS break. After Sunday, might not start until Chicago week from Tuesday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 8, 2017
With tomorrow's start still to go, #Dodgers Clayton Kershaw has already thrown 123 1/3 IP, more at the A-S break than any year since 2013
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 8, 2017
And quick updates on Chris Hatcher and Hyun-Jin Ryu:
Earlier this week #Dodgers Chris Hatcher (thoracic inflammation) received a cortisone injection. Rehab assignment at some point in 2nd half
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 8, 2017
Hyun-Jin Ryu (left foot contusion) won't need a rehab game, but Dave Roberts said he isn't sure what day after the break he'll return.
— JT (@ThatDamnJosh_) July 8, 2017
