Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (69-45) continued their slump, dropping a season-high fifth straight game to spoil Tarik Skubal‘s Dodger debut. Skubal was solid, allowing two runs over six innings. However, the Dodger offense was shut down by Javier Assad and the Cub bullpen while the Dodger bullpen continued their struggles, allowing five hits and three runs in two innings. Their division lead is down to nine, which is still the biggest division lead in baseball but their smallest division lead since June 27. They’re also 1.5 games back of the Brewers for the best record in baseball and only a half game up on Atlanta for the 2-seed. Today, they look to stave off a sweep with Eric Lauer on the hill against Shota Imanaga.
Today’s #Dodgers lineup at Cubs: pic.twitter.com/ceJAraJh79
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2026
A Wednesday matinee.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 5, 2026
Tune in live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/1S9OwarCCZ
The Dodgers held on to Lauer through the deadline, but this could be his final turn in the rotation with Blake Snell‘s potential return next week. They’re still undefeated in Lauer’s nine appearances after a 4-2 win over the Mariners last week. Lauer tossed six shutout innings and only allowed one hit and one walk (and hit a batter). He’s still not really striking anyone out, with four last start and only 30 in 51 2/3 innings as a Dodger. Despite that, he’s given the Dodgers five quality starts in eight starts and six no-hit innings after an opener against the Twins in June. Lauer’s main issue has been with the longball, which could be trouble considering how the ball’s been flying in this series. Lauer’s pitched four times at Wrigley in his career and has a 4.86 ERA with four homers allowed in 16 2/3 innings but hasn’t pitched there or faced the Cubs since 2023.
Imanaga makes his 23rd start of the season for the Cubs. He’s posted a 3.67 ERA/4.43 FIP in 127 2/3 innings but has been dominant in his last six starts. He’s allowed 34 hits and seven runs in 35 2/3 innings over his last six starts with 31 strikeouts and six walks in that time, yet somehow the Cubs (who are one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last month+) are only 3-3 in those six starts. All three of those losses were credited to Imanaga, but the Cub offense was shut out in each of those three games. The Dodgers beat up on Imanaga a bit in LA back in April, scoring five runs (four earned) and six hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 6-0 Dodger win. The Cubs have been shut out five times in Imanaga starts including in three of his last five.
Miguel Rojas returns to the lineup after missing a couple starts against left-handed pitchers, assumingly due to fouling a ball off his foot Saturday against Boston. Teoscar Hernandez sits with Tommy Edman starting in left, and Hunter Feduccia gets the start behind the plate after catching the final inning last night after Ben Rortvedt was pinch hit for.
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Tough news came in after last night’s game, as Dalton Rushing has a torn UCL.
Following up on what Dave Roberts said to @THEREAL_DV: MRI results revealed a UCL tear for Dalton Rushing. The hope is he can avoid surgery, but he’ll be shut down/no throw for at least a few weeks. If he does return this season, it’s unclear if he’ll be limited to hitting only.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) August 5, 2026
You knew it was a bad injury when they actually put him on the IL immediately and didn’t play shorthanded for six games. He won’t throw for 4-6 weeks and could return as a pinch hitter/maybe DH when Shohei Ohtani rests down the stretch, but might not play behind the plate again this season. Thankfully this happened before the deadline and they’re not stuck with an Eliezer Alfonzo/Chuckie Robinson catching duo for the next month or so.
Remember Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone? They still exist.
Some good news to report from Salt Lake, as both Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone have joined OKC after rehabbing injuries all season.
— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) August 4, 2026
Miller scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Stone on Thursday. Will be Stone's first game in nearly two calendar years.#Dodgers
Miller’s pitching for OKC today for his first outing since last September. He’s listed as the starter, which is a role he hasn’t taken since last July as he was moved into the bullpen down the stretch. Stone hasn’t pitched in a game since August 31, 2024 and is lined up to pitch tomorrow. That game could be on SportsNet LA with the Dodgers off tomorrow?
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First pitch is scheduled for 11:20 AM PT and will be on SportsNet LA.
