Dodgers @ Rockies September 26, 2023: Miller starts in Colorado as the Dodgers hope to return to California healthy

The Dodgers (96-60) dropped the first game of a scheduled double-header against the Rockies (57-99) earlier today by a score of 4-1. Caleb Ferguson had a rough outing as an opener, allowing three earned runs. Ryan Pepiot took over after that and continued his great season, going six innings allowing just one run with nine strikeouts. Record wise, the Braves (100-56) are likely out of reach, so there is little to follow outside of that. The Baltimore Orioles (97-59) are one game ahead of the Dodgers, although the Dodgers own the tiebreaker, while the Tampa Bay Rays (95-62) trail by a game and a half, but own the tiebreaker. It’d be nice to enter the postseason with homefield advantage over everyone outside of Atlanta. Kolten Wong got hit by a pitch in the eighth inning as did Freddie Freeman in the ninth. They both seem to be fine, though it’s a nice reminder that health is paramount in these last six games. Bobby Miller will start the second game, up against the right-handed Ryan Feltner.

	5:40 PM		Denver
3B	Taylor	RF	Blackmon (L)
1B	Freeman (L)	SS	Tovar
C	Smith	LF	Jones (L)
DH	Muncy (L)	2B	Rodgers
CF	Outman (L)	C	Díaz
RF	Hernández	1B	Montero
LF	Peralta (L)	3B	Castro (L)
2B	Wong (L)	DH	Goodman
SS	Rosario	CF	Doyle
P	Miller (R)	P	Feltner (R)

Significantly different lineup for game two as expected. J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, Jason Heyward, and Miguel Rojas will be on the bench. Will Smith will catch tonight after sitting out the first game.

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Here’s how Miller and Feltner matchup.

Miller (10-4) allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in his last outing against Detroit. He was great despite a few mistakes, but the offense simply didn’t provide him enough support. He once again went seven innings, and has now gone at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts.

Feltner had a no-decision his last time out, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings against San Diego. It was his first appearance in four months after being hit in the head by a comebacker in May. He’s been decent for Colorado in his 40 innings, but more importantly it seems that he’s healthy, recovered, and able to pitch again – regardless of immediate performance.

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In other news, not a ton has come up in between games.

Ryan Pepiot has appeared in seven games this season. He has pitched at least five innings and allowed one run or fewer in five of those outings. His season ERA is now 1.85.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 26, 2023

It’s possible that Pepiot has made his final regular season appearance this year with just five days left in the season after today. The same logic goes for Miller. Both would likely be able to pitch in the season finale, but it’s doubtful that either would.

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First pitch is at 5:40 PM PT on SNLA.