Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (90-36) return home for a brief three-game homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers (66-62) and look to capture their 91st win, matching their win total from the entirety of last season when they went 91-71. They’re coming off a winning road trip, taking five of seven against the Tigers and Pirates. Despite the Dodgers securing a series victory against the Brewers at Miller Park in early June, the Brew Crew will pose a challenge. They’re playing with purpose, chasing the Cubs in the NL Central (3 games back) and are also in the hunt for a Wild Card (3 1/2 games back).
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Brewers
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Dodgers
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7:10 PM PT
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Los Angeles
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1B
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Sang Namja |
CF
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CT3 | |
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2B
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Walkie |
SS
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Seager | |
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LF
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Ocho |
3B
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RedTurn2 | |
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3B
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Mayor-DDC |
C
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YRG Jr. | |
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RF
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Showmingo |
1B
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El Titan | |
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C
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I Believe |
RF
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Wild Horse | |
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CF
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Fla Boy | 2B | Logie Bear | |
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SS
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El Niño |
LF
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Kiké | |
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P
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Texas (R) |
P
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Maeken (R) |
Kenta Maeda (11-5, 3.88 ERA, 3.84 FIP) goes for his 12th win this season, trying to bounce back after losing to the Detroit in his last start after a disastrous sixth inning torpedoed his outing. Maeda looked great through five perfect innings, but things quickly unraveled when he allowed four runs and was chased from the game by the Tigers. Although Maeda failed to tame the Tigers, the Dodgers’ offense couldn’t muster anything against Justin Verlander.
Maeda has been more effective at home this year (7-1, 3.18 ERA) than on the road (4-4, 4.61 ERA). Despite the loss to the Tigers, he’s put together a nice second half so far over six starts (4-1, 2.70 ERA). The utilization of his cutter has contributed to Maeda’s turnaround this season, allowing him to rely less on his four-seam fastball.
Overall against the Brewers, “Maeken” is 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA in three career starts. Ryan Braun is hitting .600 against Maeda (3-for-5). Eric Thames has hit a home run against Maeda as well.
Chase Anderson (7-2, 2.83 ERA, 3.49 FIP) makes his second start since returning to the mound after a left oblique strain put him on the disabled list. In his last start against the Rockies at Coors Field, “Texas” went five innings and allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and three walks for the win.
Anderson is 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA against the Dodgers in eight career starts and 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in five starts at Dodger Stadium. Adrian Gonzalez is 8-for-15 (.533) with a home run and two doubles against Anderson. Yasmani Grandal has hit three homers against the right-hander in the past as well.
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Friday’s series opener against the Brew Crew also heralds in the first annual Players Weekend across MLB. Players will wear unique uniforms with bright colors and selected nicknames on the back of their jerseys instead of their last names. It would be fun if Joe Davis called the game by using the Dodgers’ nicknames during the SNLA broadcast. I’m usually not the biggest fan of alternate jerseys. The classic Dodgers jerseys are perfection on their own, but it should be a fun twist nonetheless.
Happy 2b back in LA with the @Dodgers fans and their 🎶California Loooove🎶😍#kenleyfornia #PlayersWeekend @Jumpman23 @MLB_PLAYERS @stance pic.twitter.com/LZoNZpZsdr
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) August 25, 2017
Some unfortunate news about Grant Dayton:
Dayton said previous MRIs showed his UCL in bad shape but he never felt any pain until final warmup pitch in rehab assignment in Tulsa
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 25, 2017
Really wish I could wear this jersey tonight. #PlayersWeekend #gmoney @Dodgers #dodgers pic.twitter.com/oMwvXhcX5x
— Grant Dayton (@GrantDayton) August 25, 2017
The left-hander appeared in 29 games for the Dodgers this year and went 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA/5.71 FIP in 23 2/3 innings.
In better news, Clayton Kershaw is “penciled in” to face the Padres on the next road trip.
Sorry in advance #Padres, looks like Clayton Kershaw is on schedule to return next weekend against you #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/1MAzlLRwpr
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 25, 2017
Finally, Ross “Chicken Strip” Stripling will make his first start for the Dodgers this year on Saturday, filling in for Alex Wood.
Ross Stripling said he’d likely throw 3-4 innings, 40-50 pitches in Saturday’s start
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 25, 2017
