Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (87-34) haven’t lost a series in ten weeks. They’ve swept 12 series during that span, and have a shot at yet another today. All that stands between them and that (as well as their seventh win in a row) is the Tigers (53-69) and a one-time truly great ace.
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Dodgers
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Tigers
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10:10 a.m. Pacific
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Detroit
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LF
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Granderson |
2B
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Kinsler | |
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SS
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Seager
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RF
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Presley | |
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3B
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Turner
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LF
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Upton | |
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1B
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González
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1B
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Cabrera | |
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RF
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Puig |
CF
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Mahtook | |
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DH
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Utley |
DH
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Martínez | |
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2B
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Forsythe | C | Hicks | |
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C
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Barnes |
3B
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Romine | |
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CF
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Hernández |
SS
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Machado | |
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P
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Maeda (R)
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P
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Verlander (R) |
Kenta Maeda (3.76 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 4.06 DRA) will face the Tigers for the first time in his career. It’s been six starts since Maeda has allowed more than three runs. In those games, Maeda has allowed a 1.95 ERA across 32.1 IP, striking out 32 batters versus eight walks. He’s making a real good case to keep that rotation spot once everyone is back and healthy.
Justin Verlander (4.11 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 3.75 DRA) was, for a stretch, one of the best (if not the best) pitcher in baseball. He arguably should’ve won the AL Cy Young Award last season. This year’s Verlander isn’t pitching at that same level, but he’s having an okay year (107 ERA+), and still has the potential to be a formidable opponent. This will be just the second time in his career that Verlander has pitched against the Dodgers. In 2014, he allowed five runs in six innings at Comerica Park, all scored in the first inning. Dodger pitching then proceeded to give up 14 unanswered runs.
After mildly spraining his ankle in yesterday’s game, Cody Bellinger is out of the lineup (and likely will be for a couple of days), which is definitely for the best, although he’s still listed as available. Newest Dodger Curtis Granderson will lead off, and he’ll be in left field, with Enrique Hernández manning center. Chris Taylor gets the rare day off.
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What’s next for Clayton Kershaw? Well:
Kershaw simulated game confirmed for tomorrow in Pittsburgh. 3 innings.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 20, 2017
Clayton Kershaw is expected to make a rehab start next weekend with either Tulsa or OKC, Dave Roberts said.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 20, 2017
A less-positive update on Grant Dayton:
LHP Grant Dayton's scan on his throwing elbow wasn't clear. Another scan will be done. Shut down for foreseeable future. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 20, 2017
Finally, the great Eric Stephen provided us with these truly wonderful notes:
The Giants can be officially eliminated from the NL West on Sunday with either a loss or a Dodgers win
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 20, 2017
Make it happen, boys.
