Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers managed to make last night as stressful as possible, but defeated the Padres in 12 innings to give them their first three-game winning streak and first series win of the season. Today, they can earn their first series sweep of the season.
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Dodgers
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Padres
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7:10 PM
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San Diego
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CF
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Taylor |
RF
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Pirela | |
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SS
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Seager |
CF
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Cordero | |
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C
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Grandal |
1B
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Hosmer | |
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1B
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Bellinger |
3B
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Villanueva | |
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RF
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Kemp |
SS
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Galvis | |
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LF
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Pederson |
2B
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Asuaje | |
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2B
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Utley | LF | Spangenberg | |
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3B
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Muncy |
C
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Hedges | |
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P
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Maeda (R)
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P
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Perdomo (R)
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Kenta Maeda gets the start for the Dodgers today. Much like yesterday’s starter Alex Wood, Maeda is coming off his worst start of the season. The Dodgers hope that Maeda can match Wood’s performance last night, as he took a one-hitter into the sixth only to be undone by his own fielding issues. Maeda only recorded eight outs in his last start against Arizona, which matches the shortest start of his career. He allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings, but only two of them were earned. Maeda made a throwing error to load the bases and then struck out Paul Goldschmidt for the second out, but threw a wild pitch, passed ball and allowed a sac fly to unclog the bases. He then gave up back-to-back doubles to end his night. Maeda was understandably rusty, as he had thrown one inning in 13 days prior to that start. This time, he’ll be starting on a normal four days of rest, so hopefully some of the rust is knocked off.
Yasiel Puig gets a day off for the Dodgers as Matt Kemp slides to right field and Joc Pederson starts at center. Max Muncy will get his first start as a Dodger at third base tonight after hitting a single in a pinch-hit appearance last night.
Luis Perdomo was supposed to start against the Dodgers on Monday, but was suspended five games for throwing at Nolan Arenado and starting a kerfuffle. Tyson Ross was originally going to start today, but instead the Dodgers will see Perdomo for the eighth time in his career. The Dodgers have had Perdomo’s number, as in seven outings (four starts), Perdomo owns an 8.40 ERA against LA. Six of those appearances came in 2016, and Perdomo allowed five runs in six innings in his only start against the Dodgers last season.
For the Padres, Hunter Renfroe gets the night off in right. Jose Pirela starts in right and Cory Spangenberg gets the start in left field. Austin Hedges starts behind the plate after catching the final three innings of last night’s game.
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It took a couple weeks, but the Dodgers have finally placed a starting pitcher on the Disabled List.
The Dodgers have recalled Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Rich Hill (left third digit inflammation) on the 10-day DL (retroactive to April 15).
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 18, 2018
Rich Hill said he has a cracked nail on that left middle finger. He described the disabled-list stint as precautionary.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 18, 2018
Rich Hill was scheduled to start the series opener against the Washington Nationals on Friday, but that won’t happen. Calling up Adam Liberatore gives the Dodgers a fresh bullpen arm after using seven relievers last night. With an off day tomorrow, Clayton Kershaw could start Friday on normal rest. With days off this Thursday and next Thursday, Hill should be able to return after missing only one start.
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Despite another blown save last night, it seems like the Dodgers won’t be making any drastic changes yet.
Dave Roberts said Kenley Jansen would be the closer tonight, or even used to keep a game tied.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 19, 2018
Jansen’s velocity looked solid last night and some of his cutters were cutting, but he got knocked around in the ninth and failed to hold a two-run lead. He’s earned some leeway, but using him in a low-pressure situation could be helpful in getting him back on track. Most of the key pieces of the bullpen have been incredible early on, but Jansen’s struggles have definitely caused more stress than needed at this point in the season.
