Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
This should be a fun series. The Dodgers are hosting one of the best offenses in the game, and it also includes a return.
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Red Sox
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m. PT
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Los Angeles
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| RF | Betts | 2B | Utley | |
| 2B | Pedroia | SS | Seager | |
| SS | Bogaerts | 3B | Turner | |
| 1B | Ramirez | RF | Reddick | |
| CF | Bradley | 1B | Gonzalez | |
| 3B | Hill | C | Grandal | |
| C | Leon | LF | Kendrick | |
| LF | Brentz | CF | Pederson | |
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P
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Wright (R)
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P
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Kazmir (L)
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Yes, this is Hanley Ramirez‘s first game at Dodger Stadium since he left after the 2014 season. His first season in Boston was an unmitigated disaster (-1.8 WAR, 89 wRC+), but this season he’s doing much better as the Sox’s first baseman (1.1 WAR, 112 wRC+).
Some radio hosts will only say bad things about Hanley — and yes, his time with the Dodgers wasn’t all peaches and cream — but his on-field performance was great, including a ridiculous 191 wRC+ in 2013. You’ll remember, that season ended for him (in effect) when Joe Kelly broke his rib with a fastball in the first game of the National League Championship Series.
And yeah, he booted the ground ball in Clayton Kershaw‘s no-hitter that kept it from being a perfect game (in theory), but Ramirez was never known for his defense anyway.
When he signed with Boston, I wrote the article and chose to focus on the positive.
“Ramirez’s time with the Dodgers spanned about two and a half years, and he ended up being one of the best “shortstops” the Dodgers ever had. In his time, he hit .299/.368/.506 in 278 career games as a Dodger, including a ridiculous .345/.402/.638 in 2013. Unfortunately, he was only able to play 86 games that year and he had a good 2014, but it looked worse than it actually was compared to his 2013.”
“It’s been real, Hanley. I know I’ll never forget that magical, yet shortened, 2013 performance, and trying to play through the broken rib in the playoffs. People can give him crap for his poor defense, but they can never question his heart.”
So when a certain post-game host decides to take digs at Ramirez (and trust me, it’s gonna happen), just remember the good Hanley.
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Here’s some injury news, because it wouldn’t be a game thread without some injuries.
Kershaw still not throwing. Roberts optimistic he will pitch in Sept.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 5, 2016
Heh, cute. Kershaw is having his lower-back amputated tomorrow.
Dave Roberts didn't exactly use the word "setback," but Trayce Thompson (lower back) now isn't expected to return before September.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 5, 2016
Great. I’m sure the Dodgers were hoping Trayce Thompson would be available sooner than that. At this point, it’s best that he gets completely healthy before returning.
Ross Stripling is expected to start Saturday and Rich Hill Sunday. Bud Norris (strained lat muscle) is expected to go on the 15-day DL.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 5, 2016
Ross Stripling gets the nod over Jose De Leon. Makes sense to me. Rich Hill‘s debut on Sunday should be good fun.
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