Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After dropping a series for the first time in more than two months, the Dodgers (91-39) are at risk of losing another. The suddenly-hot Diamondbacks (74-58) have now won five in a row, and they’re sending a guy to the mound who’s having a very good season, including a couple of solid starts against the Boys in Blue.
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Dodgers
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D’backs
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6:40 p.m.
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Arizona
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CF
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Taylor |
LF
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Peralta | |
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SS
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Hernández |
3B
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Rosales | |
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3B
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Turner |
CF
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Pollock | |
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1B
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Bellinger |
1B
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Goldschmidt | |
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2B
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Forsythe |
RF
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Martinez | |
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RF
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Puig |
2B
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Drury | |
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C
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Barnes | SS | Marte | |
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LF
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Granderson |
C
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Herrmann | |
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P
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Ryu (L) |
P
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Ray (L) |
Robbie Ray (3.06 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 4.04 DRA) had a scary incident in late July, wherein he took a line drive to the head and had to miss several weeks dealing with a concussion. Ray made his return last week with five innings of one-run ball against the Mets. This will be Ray’s fourth time facing the Dodgers this year. His two starts at Dodger Stadium were both six-inning efforts in which he allowed just one earned run. In his other start, at Chase Field, he allowed five runs in 5.1 IP.
Tonight’s Dodger starter, Hyun-Jin Ryu (3.34 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 4.12 DRA), has gone nine consecutive starts without allowing more than three runs. This will be his first time facing the Diamondbacks this season, and thus, since September of 2014. In eight career starts against Arizona, Ryu has a 3.26 ERA in 49.2 IP.
A fun fact about this pitching matchup, from the great Diane Firstman:
For those of you wondering, today's RYU-RAY pitching matchup only TIES record for fewest letters in SP duel (6). #MLB #Dodgers #Diamondbacks
— David Benjamin Firstman (@Firstmanagram) August 30, 2017
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As expected, Cody Bellinger has been activated today and is back in the starting lineup, batting cleanup and playing first base. Bellinger made a rehab start for the AZL Dodgers last night, and went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run.
The Dodgers have gone 4-5 since Bellinger got injured. They’re 13-16 this season when he doesn’t play, and 78-23 when he does. Make of that whatever you will; however, I think we can all agree it’s good to have his bat back in the lineup.
Also as expected, Corey Seager is not starting again today, but is still available to pinch hit.
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To make room on the roster for Bellinger, Kyle Farmer has been optioned back to Triple-A:
Today, the #Dodgers reinstated Cody Bellinger from the 10-day DL and optioned Kyle Farmer to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2017
I’m sure we’ll be seeing Kyle in a couple days’ time when rosters expand.
As for who else we’ll see on September 1:
Andre Ethier has a sore neck that has interrupted his rehab stint. Still expected to be activated Sept. 1.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 30, 2017
Dave Roberts said first wave of call ups will include Brock Stewart who will start Game 1 of Double Header on Saturday.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 30, 2017
(Technically, though, Brock Stewart will be pitching on September 2.)
Brandon McCarthy, meanwhile, is going to make another rehab start this weekend:
#Dodgers Brandon McCarthy said he will throw another bullpen Thursday then make another rehab start this weekend. Blister keeps re-opening.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 30, 2017
