Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers are on a roll right now, as they followed a six-game losing streak with a four-game winning streak. After avoiding getting swept in Miami, the Dodgers took all three games against the Washington Nationals for a 4-2 roadtrip. They return to Dodger Stadium to face the Rockies, who are a half game out of first place in the NL West. They’re 18-11 on the road, and somehow this is the first time these two teams will meet this season.
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Rockies
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Dodgers
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7:10 PM
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Los Angeles
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CF
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Blackmon |
LF
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Pederson | |
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RF
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Dahl |
1B
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Muncy | |
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3B
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Arenado |
3B
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Turner | |
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LF
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Parra |
C
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Grandal | |
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SS
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Story |
CF
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Bellinger | |
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1B
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Desmond |
RF
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Kemp | |
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C
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Wolters | SS | Taylor | |
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2B
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Valaika |
2B
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Utley | |
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P
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Marquez (R)
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P
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Buehler (R)
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Walker Buehler is coming off his worst start of the season, during which he allowed the most runs and hits in an outing this season. The Marlins scored five runs off Buehler (one unearned) and knocked seven hits in five innings, and Justin Bour became the first player to take Buehler deep this season. He still struck out seven and walked two, but he got hit harder than he had so far this season. 10 of the 16 batted balls put in play off Buehler had an exit velocity over 90 MPH, and only one of the seven his off him had an exit velocity under 94 MPH.
Cody Bellinger starts in center for the fifth time in the last six games. Max Muncy has been more than deserving of his playing time at first, and he’s been in the starting lineup in all but one game since Allan wrote about how productive he’s been.
German Marquez is having a very Colorado season so far. He owns a 5.15 ERA and a 1.649 WHIP in nine starts, but has been much better away from Coors. In five road starts, Marquez has a 2.25 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP. At home, his ERA is 10.34 and his WHIP is 2.426, due to a .446 BABIP against at Coors. In his last start, Marquez allowed two runs in five innings in San Diego.
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Rich Hill threw two pitches on Saturday before leaving the game with a blister. Initial reports had him out for at least four weeks.
Rich Hill, out with chronic finger blister issues, is playing catch. I kid you not.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 21, 2018
Hill said he might request permission from MLB to pitch with his fingertip taped.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 21, 2018
Rich Hill has been experimenting with various treatments for the blister, including receiving laser therapy, chugging apple cider vinegar and urinating on his hand.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) May 21, 2018
Hill is trying to bend the rules and use protective tape to continue to pitch. That’s a bold strategy, Cotton.
Is it more disgusting to chug apple cider vinegar or to urinate on one’s hand? Please discuss in the comments.
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Clayton Kershaw will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, a simulated game of 3 or 4 innings on Saturday, then could return to the rotation late next week, although that is a tentative timeline.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 21, 2018
Good news for all except those that hoped to catch a Clayton Kershaw rehab start at Rancho. Kershaw appears on track to return in the near future.
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Brock Stewart will come up tomorrow and either start or relieve. Kenta Maeda starts Wednesday.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) May 21, 2018
It almost feels like an inside joke at how far the Dodgers are willing to go to not let Brock Stewart start a major league game. He’s lined up to throw and will pitch tomorrow, but it’s unsure whether it will be as a starter or a reliever. Maybe they’re inspired by the Tampa Bay Rays starting old friend Sergio Romo in back-to-back games. Kenta Maeda will start on Wednesday coming off arguably the best start of his career.
