Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers had a much-needed off day yesterday after dropping the final two games of the series against the Phillies. They entered that series with a chance to take over the top spot in the NL, but failed to do so. Wednesday’s game was extra annoying, as Miguel Rojas‘ alleged blocking of third base and Joe Kelly‘s general Joe Kellyness led to a five-run sixth and Dave Roberts‘ first ejection of 2024. Not only did the Dodgers fall to three games back of the Phillies, but they got no help around the league. The Padres went into Pittsburgh and were losing in the ninth inning of two of the three games. David Bednar allowed four runs and recorded five outs in his two save situations, giving the Padres a sweep and leaving the Dodgers only 2.5 ahead in the NL West.
Now the Pirates come to LA, where the Dodgers hope their struggles continue. Pittsburgh’s lost four straight and six of their last seven, but the Dodgers might be what they need to right the ship. They took two of three from the Dodgers in Pittsburgh in June and have been a thorn in the Dodgers’ side for years.
 |
 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:10 P.M. | Los Angeles | ||
| 2B | Kiner-Falefa | DH | Ohtani (L) |
| LF | Reynolds (S) | LF | T. Hernández |
| SS | Cruz (L) | 1B | Freeman (L) |
| DH | Bart | C | Smith |
| 1B | Tellez (L) | 2B | Lux (L) |
| RF | De La Cruz | SS | Rojas |
| 3B | Hayes | 3B | K. Hernández |
| C | Grandal (S) | RF | Heyward (L) |
| CF | Taylor | CF | Pages |
| P | Keller (R) | P | Flaherty (R) |
Jack Flaherty makes his second start as a Dodger and his first as a Dodger in his hometown. Flaherty looked as promised in his debut in Oakland, allowing five singles and a walk in six shutout innings. He escaped a sixth inning jam after a Cavan Biggio error, single and walk loaded the bases with no outs. Roberts let Flaherty work his way out of it, and he responded with a strikeout and two groundouts to preserve the shutout. Today will be Flaherty’s 16th career start against the Pirates (17th game overall), his second most against any team. He has a 2.52 ERA and has allowed only a .614 OPS in his 89 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh and has struck out 90 with only 28 walks. Flaherty has also been comfortable in his time at Dodger Stadium in his career. In four starts in LA, Flaherty has a 2.78 ERA and has struck out 36 of the 90 batters he’s faced. Four of the seven runs he’s allowed in LA came last season, when the Dodgers scored two in the first and two in the third off him on May 21st.
Mitch Keller makes his 23rd start of the season for the Pirates. Keller should be pretty fresh, as he only went four innings in his last start after an hour long rain delay cut his start short. He allowed only a hit and two walks over his four innings and lowered his ERA on the season to 3.20, which would be his best in a non-covid-shortened season by over half a run. Keller lasted only three innings in his final start before the all star break, but has gone six or more in 14 of his 22 starts and completed seven or more in three of his five July starts. The Dodgers missed Keller in June, but saw him twice last season. Keller struck out 10 Dodgers in six strong innings in Pittsburgh, allowing two runs and five hits in his sixth start of the season. They fared better against Keller in LA in July, as they tagged him for four runs and eight hits over five innings.
Keller’s primarily thrown four different pitches this season, three of those being fastballs. His four-seamer is his most-used pitch at 30.6 percent, and he throws a sinker the second-most at 21.6 percent He’s only thrown his cutter 12.8 percent of the time, but has allowed more homers off it than any other pitch. Keller’s also thrown a sweeper 15 percent of the time, curve 9.6 percent of the time and slider 9.5 percent of the time. He seemingly ditched his changeup, as Savant says he threw a handful of them for the first few months but hasn’t thrown it since May.
Nothing especially notable in the Dodger lineup, Andy Pages gets the start in center and hits ninth for the fifth time this season.
——
Barring something unforeseen, Mookie Betts will be back in the lineup on Monday in Milwaukee.
When Mookie Betts returns to the Dodgers next week, he will actually immediately go back to right field — not shortstop as originally planned
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 9, 2024
Dave Roberts said he and Betts had a “good conversation” about it last night, and decided it’s what made most sense right now
It was reported that he’d return to his spot at short, but the plans have changed and now he’ll go back to right field. Betts hasn’t played the outfield at all this season, but he’ll be in right on Monday, and presumably Rojas or Nick Ahmed will be at short. They’re prioritizing the shortstop defense over the potential in Pages or Jason Heyward‘s bats, and I’m sure this move has a lot to do with Pages’ .573 OPS since the beginning of June.
Along with Betts, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman could be rejoining the team in the near future.
Tommy Edman and Max Muncy are starting their rehab assignments, Dave Roberts said. They’ll go to OKC. Edman will largely play center field, Roberts said.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 9, 2024
They’re heading to Oklahoma to begin their rehab assignments presumably tomorrow, as tonight’s OKC game began over an hour ago and neither were in the lineup. Edman will mostly play in center while he’s down there, so assume he’ll also be mostly playing center in LA.
Walker Buehler threw what is likely his final rehab game last night.
Strong start by Walker Bueher in Bricktown tonight.
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) August 9, 2024
5.1 IP | 1 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 3 BB | 5 K | 1 HR
85 pitches/48 strikes pic.twitter.com/PcTPreFBob
Buehler allowed a solo homer and three walks over 5 1/3 innings in his probable final tune-up before returning to the rotation. He retired 13 batters in a row at one point and retired 15 of 17 through five innings. He could also make his return next week in Milwaukee.
——
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PT and will be shown on SportsNet LA.
