Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers begin a 3-game weekend set with the Cubs, and the newest Dodger Carlos Ruiz is in town and starting tonight.
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Cubs
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m. PT
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Los Angeles
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CF
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Fowler |
LF
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Kendrick | |
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3B
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Bryant
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SS
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Seager | |
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1B
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Rizzo |
3B
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Turner | |
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2B
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Zobrist |
1B
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Gonzalez | |
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SS
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Russell |
CF
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Hernandez | |
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RF
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Heyward |
C
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Ruiz | |
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LF
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Soler | RF | Reddick | |
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C
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Montero |
2B
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Utley | |
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P
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Montgomery (L)
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P
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Norris (R)
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Ruiz draws the start against a lefty in Mike Montgomery, which isn’t surprising as that’s what he was brought in to do. Make no mistake: Yasmani Grandal is hitting well against left-handed pitchers this season. The power numbers aren’t there, but he has a 135 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this season. But he can’t catch every game, which is why Ruiz was brought in as an offensive upgrade over A.J. Ellis.
The lineup has seen a bit of a shift tonight. Howie Kendrick moves up to the leadoff spot. That’s good. What isn’t particularly good is the fact both Josh Reddick and Chase Utley are starting against a lefty while Joc Pederson is not. None of the three are good at hitting lefties, but at least give Pederson a chance. Or don’t. Whatever. And the days of Enrique Hernandez being a destroyer of lefties appear to be gone (just a 99 wRC+ this season). He’s starting in center field.
Enough bitching about the lineup. Onto some news.
Urias starting Saturday. TBD Sunday. Maeda in Colorado Monday.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 26, 2016
Some are speculating that Sunday’s starter could be Jose De Leon. Not so fast…
Carlos Ruiz and Brock Stewart are up. Shawn Zarraga was optioned to Oklahoma City. Kenta Maeda was optioned to rookie-level AZL Dodgers.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 27, 2016
Ruiz, check. Brock Stewart (Sunday starter?), check. Shawn Zarraga back to Triple-A, check. Kenta Maeda to the AZL Dodgers, che … wait, what? Have no fear.
In other words, Maeda is back on Monday to make his scheduled start in Colorado. Creative bastards
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 27, 2016
Bastards, indeed.
Kershaw said he will face hitters next week.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 26, 2016
Help us Clayton Kershaw. You’re our only hope. And this was after his 60-pitch bullpen session:
Van Slyke said Kershaw was mostly sharp. "His last pitch was his best pitch," he said. "backdoor slider or cutter." About 60p total, 3 inns.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 26, 2016
Good. Brandon McCarthy also threw a bullpen session. No word on the results.
In the end it's not about Hits, HRs, Wins, or even Championships. It's all about relationships. Thank you @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/8QHJgkODQj
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) August 26, 2016
Spoken like a true (future) manager. Best of luck, A.J.
And this is just fantastic.
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/769297018883715072
Bravo.
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