Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers, once again, put together a big inning last night to propel them to a win. They rode a five-run fourth inning to a 7-4 win, their eighth of the season and seventh in a row. The Dodgers look for a fourth consecutive series win tonight in a battle of Opening Day starters.
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| 7:10 PM | Los Angeles | ||
| 2B | Albies (S) | RF | Betts |
| 1B | Olson (L) | 1B | Freeman (L) |
| 3B | Riley | SS | T. Turner |
| DH | Ozuna | DH | J. Turner |
| RF | Rosario (L) | 2B | Muncy (L) |
| C | d’Arnaud | LF | Taylor |
| RF | Duvall | 3B | Alberto |
| LF | Arcia | CF | Bellinger (L) |
| SS | Swanson | C | Barnes |
Walker Buehler gets his third start of the season tonight. He hasn’t quite dominated in either of his first two starts, allowing two runs in each outing. Last time out he cruised through five innings before running into trouble in the sixth, as he issued a two-out walk and a homer to bring the Reds within one. He needed 98 pitches to complete 5 2/3 innings and has issued five walks in 10 2/3 innings this season. Buehler had success in the regular season against the Braves last season, as he allowed two runs and four hits in seven strong innings. He didn’t have as much success in his two playoff appearances. In Game 3 of the NLCS, Buehler lasted only 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (two earned). He came back on short rest in Game 6 and allowed four runs and seven hits in four innings, taking the loss in the series-ending loss.
Max Fried starts for the third time of the season tonight. He’s taken the loss in each of his first two starts this season. On Opening Day, the Reds tagged him for five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings (two of those runs coming after Fried was pulled for Collin McHugh, who allowed a three-run shot to the first batter he saw). He was better last time out, holding the Nationals to three runs (two earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Fried saw the Dodgers three times last season once in the regular season and twice in the NLCS. In the regular season, he matched a season-high with nine strikeouts over six innings of two-run ball. He allowed two runs in six innings in his first playoff start against the Dodgers as well, but they figured him out in his second start as they tagged him for five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Fried is a five-pitch pitcher and most commonly threw his four-seam fastball last season (39 percent, average velocity 94 MPH). He throws a curveball (25.7 percent), slider (21.8 percent) and sinker (11.3 percent), and threw 55 changeups last season (all to righties).
Cody Bellinger was originally planned to have an off day, but was thrown in the lineup last minute. Gavin Lux was originally the starter in left, but was scratched with back tightness. Hanser Alberto starts at third with Justin Turner serving as the DH
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The Dodgers had previously said that they’d avoid using Craig Kimbrel on consecutive days.
Kimbrel threw 14 pitches last night, but could be available if the need arises tonight.
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Tommy Kahnle has made three rehab appearances with Rancho Cucamonga. Today, the Dodgers bumped him up to Oklahoma City.
Kahnle will appear tonight for OKC in Sacramento. He’s thrown three scoreless innings in three rehab outings at Rancho.
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First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PDT and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.
