Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers returned home last night and put together a great all around game to take the opener against Detroit. Lance Lynn was effective, the bullpen turned in four perfect innings and the offense put up eight runs led by two J.D. Martinez homers. It gave the Dodgers a fourth straight win, which coupled with Atlanta’s fourth straight loss now has the Dodgers in shouting distance of the top seed in the National League. The Dodgers entered the day 3.5 behind Atlanta, who as of scheduling this post lead Philly 3-0 and have the bases loaded with no outs in the fifth. Tonight, both teams use a bullpen game as the Dodgers look for another series victory.
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| 7:10 P.M. | Los Angeles | ||
| LF | Vierling | 2B | Betts |
| 2B | Ibañez (L) | 1B | Freeman (L) |
| 1B | Torkelson | C | Smith |
| C | Rogers | 3B | Muncy (L) |
| RF | Carpenter (L) | DH | Martinez |
| DH | Cabrera | LF | Peralta (L) |
| 3B | Nevin | RF | Heyward (L) |
| SS | Báez | CF | Outman (L) |
| CF | Meadows (L) | SS | Rojas |
| P | Díaz (R) | P | Ferguson (L) |
Both teams are utilizing an opener today, as the Dodgers will throw Caleb Ferguson first. Ferguson hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last nine outings, which includes two starts. That is a very selective sample size, as 10 outings ago he allowed two inherited runners and three earned runs to score while recording only two outs in Cleveland. In four games as an opener, Ferguson has allowed seven his and one run in four innings. He’s only struck out two of the 21 batters he’s faced as an opener. Gavin Stone is expected to be the bulk guy tonight. He was listed as the bulk guy in the finale in Seattle and allowed one hit and two walks in the final 3 1/3 innings to earn a 10-out save. He struck out a season-high five batters and through 57 pitches, so if he does pitch he’ll be on slightly short rest. Clearly I was feeling great when I wrote this, because Ryan Pepiot is actually the bulk guy. Don’t sign up for threads after vaccines, kids.
Miguel Diaz opens for the Tigers. Upon googling Miguel Diaz, the first result is from Cobra Kai. I felt that was important to put out there. The pitching Diaz will be making his eighth appearance and second start this season for the Tigers. Since being called up earlier this month, Diaz has yet to allow a run (earned or inherited) in 6 2/3 innings and has only allowed three hits and two walks while striking out nine. He’s maxed out at 19 pitches in the Majors, but has thrown up to 41 in the minors this season. I can’t find anything about whether the Tigers will have a bulk guy today, and I stupidly signed up for thread on the same day as my Covid booster so I’m just gonna ignore the rest of this pitcher part so I can nap.
The Dodgers roll with their usual lineup against righties. Mookie Betts starts at second and the three lefties roam the outfield.
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Not many updates coming out before scheduling this post, so just act like I wrote about them if they do come up.
Daniel Hudson threw a bullpen today, Shohei Ohtani had a non-Tommy-John elbow surgery and is expected to be ready to hit on Opening Day, which seems Dodgers related.
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First pitch is scheuled for 7:10 PM PT and will be shown on SportsNet LA.
