Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (48-25) frustratingly dropped the series opener against the Giants (31-39) on Monday night. Now they aim to even up the series behind Clayton Kershaw on the five-year anniversary of his no-hitter against the Rockies.
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Giants
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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2B
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Solano |
LF
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Pederson | |
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1B
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Belt |
CF
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Verdugo | |
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LF
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Austin |
3B
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Turner | |
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C
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Posey |
RF
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Bellinger | |
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3B
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Longoria |
2B
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Muncy | |
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RF
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Pillar |
1B
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Beaty | |
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SS
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Crawford | SS | Taylor | |
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CF
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Duggar |
C
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Barnes | |
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P
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Anderson (R) |
P
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Kershaw (L) |
Kershaw (6-1, 3.13 ERA, 3.62 FIP) allowed three runs on seven hits including two home runs, one each to Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant, in his last start against the Cubs. It wasn’t his sharpest outing, but he still picked up the win thanks to four home runs including two off Cody Bellinger‘s bat and a trio of two-run home runs from Belli, Max Muncy and David Freese.
In Kershaw’s first start this season vs. the Giants, the Dodgers lost in typical one-run fashion in San Francisco on June 7. Even though the LA offense didn’t provide much run support for their ace, Kershaw held the Giants to two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in 7 innings of work.
The veteran lefty has historically dominated the rival Giants over his career and is 22-11 with a 1.72 ERA and 0.854 WHIP in 46 career games vs. ‘Frisco. Keeping the ball in the park will be a key to the game since Kershaw’s 1.3 HR/9 would be the highest of his career if the season ended right now.
The Giants look to be aggressive considering that batters are hitting .408 with four home runs off Kershaw on the first pitch. The Giants, as a team, are hitting .305 with 15 homers off the first pitch. To compare, the Dodgers are hitting .363 and OPSing 1.091 with 21 homers on the first pitch of a count.
The good news is that the Giants have only 63 home runs this season, the second-lowest in the NL. Buster Posey has hit three home runs off Kersh, but Bruce Bochy‘s being careful with the veteran. Posey’s already been on the injured list twice this year. He was reinstated from the IL last Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring strain. He’s back in the lineup and behind the plate tonight.
I think we all remember where we were when Kershaw threw his no-hitter vs. Colorado. Some of the lucky ones were in attendance.
15 Ks.
On this date in 2014, @ClaytonKersh22 tossed a 15 K no-hitter at Dodger Stadium. Tonight, we celebrate with a bobblehead commemorating his accomplishment.
Oh, and he’s starting tonight. #KershawDay pic.twitter.com/mDbQ5f0YmO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 18, 2019
Rookie right-hander Shaun Anderson (2-1, 3.97, 4.38 FIP) takes the mound for the Giants, his first career start against the Dodgers. Last time out against the Padres, the 24-year old collected his second major-league win after going 6 innings and allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks on 88 pitches.
Shaun Anderson’s weird ass fastball, like a no-fade one seam sinker pic.twitter.com/cFb3xiOtfz
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) June 13, 2019
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There’s this.
This isn’t the first time, but the Dodgers are working out Joc Pederson at first base. This looks more serious than the past, with manager Dave Roberts supervising.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 18, 2019
With A.J. Pollock and Corey Seager returning, they would need to shift Alex Verdugo to left field. The way Muncy’s hitting, you want to keep him starting at second. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez, both struggling at the plate, would end up on the bench.
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Let’s take a moment to discuss Muncy. He hit his 17th homer in the 3-2 loss to the Giants on Monday and has a modest six-game hitting streak coming into Tuesday’s game. He’s slashing .375/.500/.813/1.313 with two home runs in his last five games. Muncy will get another shot to piss off Madison Bumgarner on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.
You can still commemorate Muncy’s awesomeness by getting your own ‘Go Get It Out Of The Ocean’ shirt here.
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Whatever happens tonight, just remind yourself that the Giants are 15 1/2 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West and in last place.
