Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After last night’s loss, the Dodgers are still searching for their first win against the Angels in 2019. The Angels have scored five runs in each of the first three games against the Dodgers, who scored three in each of the two games in Anaheim and four last night. The Dodgers still have a 15-game lead in the division, but need a win tonight to avoid a crosstown season sweep.
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Angels
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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3B
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Fletcher |
LF
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Pederson | |
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CF
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Trout |
1B
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Muncy | |
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LF
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Upton |
3B
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Turner | |
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RF
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Calhoun |
RF
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Bellinger | |
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1B
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Pujols |
CF
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Pollock | |
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SS
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Simmons |
SS
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Seager | |
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2B
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Rengifo | 2B | Hernández | |
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C
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Garneau |
C
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Barnes | |
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P
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Barria (R) |
P
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Stripling (R) |
Ross Stripling makes his third start since the All-Star break and his 12th overall start of the season today. He completed five innings in each of his road starts since the break, holding the Red Sox to one run and the Phillies to two earned runs (one unearned) in those starts. He made 90 pitches in his last outing, the second-highest pitch count of the season for Stripling. He owns a 3.64 ERA on the season in 71 2/3 innings (including relief), but in 56 innings as a starter he’s fared a tiny bit better (3.54 ERA). That’s not bad for the seventh-best starter when everyone is fully healthy.
Stripling pitched in relief in both games in Anaheim in June. He recorded a total of five outs and had four strikeouts, but did give up a single that ended up scoring after Stripling was replaced by Dylan Floro.
Jaime Barria gets his fourth start for the Angels and ninth appearance overall this season. Barria has been the pitcher to come in after an opener a few times this season, and has had some mixed results. His 7.36 ERA is not pretty, and he managed to allow 10 runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in his last appearance. Not to be outdone, in April Barria allowed 10 hits and seven runs in only 1 2/3 innings in Kansas City. He’s allowed exactly one run in four of his eight outings this season, three of which lasted exactly five innings. Barria is near the bottom of the league in wOBA (.384), but has improved both his strikeout rate and walk rate from last season.
Barria is a bit of a rarity. He throws a slider more than he throws any other pitch (46.9 percent of the time). He also throws two different fastballs (statcast has a four-seamer and a sinker) and a changeup. Righties have beaten Barria up a bit this year, as they’re OPSing .965 in 80 plate appearances against Barria.
Joc Pederson returns to the outfield as Alex Verdugo sits this game. Austin Barnes starts behind the plate.
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The Dodger bullpen will almost certainly be getting some additions in the coming week. One addition could come off the IL.
Floro reportedly threw a simulated game against minor leaguers today and came out of it feeling good. He’s been on the IL with neck soreness and is eligible to return on Monday in Colorado.
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This weekend, the Dodgers will travel to Washington for a weekend series against the Nationals. The rotation will remain in order even with the off day tomorrow.
