Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers will take the field on Friday night two games back of the first-place Giants in the NL West as they open a three-game set against the D-backs. The Giants finish off a four-game series against the first-place Nationals over the weekend, giving the Dodgers the perfect opportunity to gain additional ground in the standings and possibly even overtake their rivals for the top spot. Reinforcements are also presumably coming by Monday’s trade deadline, potentially boosting the team as they play down the stretch.
The D-backs (42-60) took two of three at Chase Field two weeks ago, but the Dodgers are rested up after two off-days this week and have played exceptionally well at home this year (31-19).
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D-backs
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m. PT
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Los Angeles
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| 2B | Segura | 2B | Utley | |
| CF | Bourn | SS | Seager | |
| 1B | Goldschmidt | 3B | Turner | |
| 3B | Lamb | 1B | Gonzalez | |
| C | Castillo | LF | Kendrick | |
| RF | Peralta | C | Grandal | |
| LF | Tomas | RF | Toles | |
| SS | Owings | CF | Pederson | |
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P
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Godley (R)
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P
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Maeda (R)
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Kenta Maeda (9-7, 3.25 ERA, 3.46 FIP) had a brutal start against the Snakes on July 17, allowing five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA against Arizona in three starts this season. Since returning from the All-Star break, Maeda has allowed seven runs on 12 hits in two starts.
Taking notes from Paul Goldschmidt on annoyingly inflicting carnage on the Dodgers, Jake Lamb is hitting .714 against Maeda with five hits, including two doubles, a home run and a walk in eight plate appearances.
The D-backs will start their other Zack, making his first career start against the Dodgers. Zack Godley (3-1, 5.88 ERA, 4.37 FIP) is a big right-hander who has pitched out of the bullpen and started for Arizona this year. Although his team came out victorious against the Reds in his last start, he was roughed up for five runs on ten hits in 5 2/3 innings. He faced the Dodgers once in relief back on June 15 in Arizona, retiring Joc Pederson and Justin Turner.
Lefties are hitting .200 against Godley this season, but he’s labored away from Chase Field. He’s allowed 19 runs in 33 2/3 innings of work on the road.
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Yasiel Puig remains out of the lineup and hasn’t played in a game since his pinch-hit appearance last Friday in St. Louis. This could mean he will be involved in a trade. Or not.
It looks as though Jay Bruce, member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, might be close to being a thing.
Rumblings of a big 3-team extravaganza brewing with the Dodgers, Reds & a mystery team. Jay Bruce would land in LA when the dust settles
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2016
Unless it’s not.
Sources: Dodgers, Reds discussed deal centered around Jay Bruce and Yasiel Puig. Didn’t materialize. Still plenty of permutations possible.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2016
Buckle up. It’s sure to be an intense weekend with flurries of trades, some by the Dodgers. Regardless of the rampant trade rumors, they need to focus on the immediate task of finishing off this homestand and month with a series win.
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