Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers took three of four in San Diego, but didn’t look all that great doing it. After an eight-run outburst in game one, they were held to eight runs combined over the next three games. Strong starting pitching by Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling gave the Dodgers sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time this season. Tonight, the Dodgers begin their final series of the first half at home against the Angels.
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Angels
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Dodgers
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7:10 PM
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Los Angeles
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RF
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Calhoun |
LF
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Pederson | |
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SS
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Simmons |
3B
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Muncy | |
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CF
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Trout |
RF
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Kemp | |
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LF
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Upton |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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3B
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Valbuena |
C
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Grandal | |
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2B
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Kinsler |
SS
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Taylor | |
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1B
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Fernández | CF | Toles | |
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C
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Briceño |
2B
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Hernández | |
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P
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Peña (R)
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P
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Buehler (R)
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Walker Buehler makes his return to the starting rotation today following a weird series of events. Buehler missed was out of action for 20 days, but returned in relief and got roughed up by the Cubs on June 28th. Buehler was then sent to the minors, which reeked of roster manipulation before the Dodgers placed him back on the DL. Now, without throwing a rehab outing in the minors, Buehler returns to start against the Angels. The injury may have been a bit of a blessing in disguise, as his innings count is much more manageable at this point. He’s thrown 52 1/3 innings in the majors and 16 in the minors, giving him 68 1/3 total more than halfway through the season. Dave Roberts threw out a theoretical 140-150 inning mark before the season, so it’s not too difficult to see a way where he continues to produce and has some innings available for the postseason.
Felix Pena makes his second consecutive start against the Dodgers. In Anaheim last Friday, Pena held the Dodgers to two runs and three hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight. Pena hasn’t thrown more than 5 1/3 innings in any of his four starts this season, but has managed to strike out five or more in each outing and has only allowed six runs as a starter. On Friday, Pena struck out Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner two times each.
Turner is out of the lineup today after injuring himself in last night’s game. He’s considered day-to-day with an injured right adductor. Pat Venditte was optioned to make room for Buehler, which surprised me because I had no idea Venditte was on the roster. For the Angels, Albert Pujols was placed on the disabled list with left knee inflammation. His injury means that old friend José Miguel Fernández starts at first base tonight.
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The big news of the day came out of nowhere.
Chase Utley will hold a press conference today, the Dodgers announce. He never does that.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) July 13, 2018
During the press conference, it was revealed that Chase Utley will retire at the end of the season.
The Chase Utley press conference is in the Dodgers media room which was not equipped for reporters plus 25 Dodgers players pic.twitter.com/5D2GSHL5Em
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 13, 2018
Kiké Hernández is out taking grounders in a shirt with Chase Utley’s face on it.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 13, 2018
Hopefully Utley sticks around after this season in some sort of coaching capacity. It would be a shame for him to abandon his children to go spend time with his wife and kids.
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The Dodgers are shifting their rotation for the final two games of this series.
Alex Wood starts Saturday. Clayton Kershaw Sunday
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 13, 2018
Originally, Clayton Kershaw was slated to throw Saturday with Rich Hill throwing Sunday. Now, Alex Wood will start Saturday and Kershaw gets the final game before the All-Star break. Rich Hill is healthy and will be available in relief for those two games.
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The already-crowded rotation might get even more crowded.
Hyun-Jin Ryu threw 25 pitches off the mound today.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) July 13, 2018
Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a bullpen today. He put together a fantastic April, but left his May 2 start with a groin strain. There’s no update on his timetable, but a bullpen is a nice first step in his return.
