Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
As the Dodgers continue to try to figure out the Phillies, the biggest story of the series so far has been Carlos Ruiz (because of course). In two games, Ruiz has hit two doubles, a triple, and a home run and has walked twice. So far this series, he’s raised his 2014 OPS from 0.614 to 0.807. He’s raised his wRC+ from 80 to 125. Ruiz has had some decent seasons in the past, but to watch him constantly play at a hall-of-fame level against the Dodgers is frustrating.
Zack Greinke is being tasked with shutting down Ruiz (and the rest of the Phillies). Eno Sarris has written some terrific articles about Greinke for both Fox and Fangraphs in the last few days. The articles really show how much thought Greinke puts into pitching, which is one reason why he’s so much fun to watch.
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Phillies
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Dodgers
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7:10pm PT
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Los Angeles, CA
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CF
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Revere
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RF
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Puig
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SS
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Rollins
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LF
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Ethier
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2B
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Utley
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SS
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Ramirez
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1B
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Howard
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CF
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Kemp
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RF
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Byrd
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1B
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Van Slyke
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LF
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Brown
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3B
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Uribe
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C
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Ruiz
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2B
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Turner
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3B
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Galvis
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C
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Butera
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P
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Hamels (L)
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P
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Greinke (R)
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There will be no rest for a weary offense tonight. Cole Hamels is on the mound for his first start of the season. Hamels missed spring training and the first few weeks of the season due to throwing shoulder tendinitis. Hamels’ 2013 season, his first after signing a six year $144 million contract extension, was largely viewed as a disappointment. This perception was due to his win-loss record (which I don’t even need to go into further depth on) and a 3.60 ERA. However, his FIP was almost exactly in line with his career numbers. His xFIP was a little higher, but his SIERA exactly matched what he had produced previously. At worst, his peripherals were very close to his career average, and he’s a tough assignment for the Dodgers’ hitters tonight. Greinke against Hamels should be a pretty good pitchers’ duel, and is also a duel of good pitcher name spoonerisms.
Tonight’s lineup is extremely confusing. Turner isn’t batting second, which is progress, but a slumping Andre Ethier is in his place. Against a lefty. Puig and Kemp fill out the other two outfield spots tonight. Scott Van Slyke is still in the lineup, giving Adrian Gonzalez a night off at first base.
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Clayton Kershaw will throw his first rehab start in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. According to Ken Gurnick, Kershaw will throw about 55 pitches during the outing and will need more than one rehab start to get ready. Julio Urias is also scheduled to pitch on Friday, so it should be an exciting game for Dodgers fans.
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