Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers return home after a successful road trip to start an eight-game homestand. First up are the surprising Atlanta Braves, who are tied for first in the NL East and have the second-most wins in the National League at 36-26.
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Braves
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Dodgers
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7:10 PM
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Los Angeles
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2B
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Albies |
CF
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Pederson | |
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SS
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Swanson |
3B
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Muncy | |
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1B
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Freeman |
LF
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Kemp | |
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RF
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Markakis |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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C
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Suzuki |
RF
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Puig | |
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CF
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Inciarte |
C
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Grandal | |
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LF
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Culberson | SS | Hernández | |
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3B
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Flaherty |
2B
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Forsythe | |
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P
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McCarthy (R)
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P
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Buehler (R)
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Walker Buehler gets the start for the Dodgers, and they could use some depth out of him. In the last six games, the pitchers that have started the game for the Dodgers have combined to throw 16 innings. This included two games that were supposed to be started by Dennis Santana, but the Dodgers opted to use Scott Alexander for the first 1 1/3 innings in Santana’s first appearance. Santana’s second appearance never happened, as he was scratched after warming up with lat soreness. Buehler’s five innings last Saturday was the longest outing of the Dodgers’ six-game road trip, and somehow the Dodgers won five of those games.
Buehler struggled in Colorado, allowing eight hits and four runs in five innings while striking out a season-low two batters. All four runs off Buehler came in the second inning after Buehler allowed four singles, a double and walked a batter. Buehler didn’t face more than four batters in an inning other than the second, so hopefully that was just a Coors-related blip.
Justin Turner gets his second straight day off with wrist soreness. Chris Taylor also gets a day off with Enrique Hernandez starting at short.
Old friend Brandon McCarthy is on the mound for the Braves for the 13th time this season, which is already more starts than he had in two of his three seasons as a Dodger. His overall numbers aren’t great, with a 4.83 ERA/4.22 FIP in 63 1/3 innings. Most of that damage has come in three May starts. On May 5th, McCarthy allowed eight runs and 12 hits in 3 1/3 innings against the Giants. On May 11th, he allowed six runs in five innings against the Marlins. On May 25th, he allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Mets. In McCarthy’s other 48 2/3 innings, he’s allowed a total of 15 earned runs.
Charlie Culberson gets the start in left field today. Culberson and McCarthy were two of the four pieces that went to Atlanta in return for Matt Kemp, who is somehow the best Dodger player.
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With Santana’s injury, the Dodgers are down to like three healthy starters.
Dennis Santana had an MRI exam on his sore lat, he said. The results are not yet available. He arrived at Dodger Stadium today wearing a sling.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) June 8, 2018
The sling seemed scary at first and they’re calling it a torn lat, but the extent of his injury is still unclear. Dustin wrote about possible short-term fixes for a dwindling rotation at True Blue LA.
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They might only have to keep afloat a little while longer before pitching reinforcements return.
Hill throwing a simulated game tomorrow. Expects to throw 4 innings. If all goes well, he hopes to be activated next week.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 8, 2018
Rich Hill hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since May 19th and has been ineffective in his six starts this season, but getting him back will be a nice boost to the rotation.
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With a heavily-taxed bullpen, the Dodgers needed some reinforcements.
Dennis Santana has a torn lat, severity unknown. It looks like the moves may be Santana to the DL, Brock Stewart to triple-A, and Adam Liberatore and Pat Venditte to the majors. “We brought up two humans and three arms,” Dave Roberts said. “We should be covered for tonight.”
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) June 8, 2018
Pat Venditte and Adam Liberatore are both back up, Brock Stewart is down, and Santana is on the DL
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Tony Cingrani hit the DL before the finale in Pittsburgh.
Tony Cingrani has a rotator cuff strain. Dave Roberts expects him back after 10 days.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 8, 2018
His arm issues are slightly concerning. Hopefully some more time off helps him get right.
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Roberts expects Justin Turner to be in starting lineup Sunday. Soreness in left wrist is the “new normal” right now. Available to pinch-hit today & tomorrow.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 8, 2018
Turner has been fine since his return from the DL, but playing with a sore wrist for at least four months seems less-than-fun. Some extra days off could be an easier way to get Max Muncy‘s bat into the lineup.
