Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Yesterday’s game looked a lot like Friday night’s game. The offense was completely shut down by the Rockies’ starter, and for the second consecutive night, the Dodgers lost 3-1. They ended June with a 17-9 record, and despite ending the month with three straight losses, the Dodgers remain 3.5 games behind the Diamondbacks in the division.
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Rockies
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Dodgers
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4:15 PM
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Los Angeles
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2B
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LeMahieu |
SS
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Taylor | |
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LF
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Parra |
2B
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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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RF
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Gonzalez |
LF
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Kemp | |
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SS
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Story |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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1B
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Desmond |
RF
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Puig | |
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CF
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Tapia | CF | Pederson | |
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C
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Murphy |
C
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Barnes | |
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P
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Bettis (R)
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P
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Stripling (R)
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Ross Stripling, Dodgers ace, is still a weird thing to type. Stripling is coming off a pair of starts against the Cubs. In Chicago, Stripling had one of his toughest starts of the season, allowing more than two runs for the second time this season and a season-high eight hits. Stripling followed that up with a start at Dodger Stadium against the Cubs. They had seven hits off Stripling, but only managed one run in five innings. Stripling’s four strikeouts was the fewest he’s had in a start this season since his very first spot start on April 30th. Stripling’s command has been a key to his success as a starter. In his last 10 starts, Stripling has walked five batters. He’s walked multiple hitters in two starts and had seven walkless outings. His 3.9 percent walk rate this season is the third-best among pitchers with at least 70 innings thrown this season, and his 28.8 strikeout rate is the 13th-best. Pretty good combination, IMO.
Chad Bettis is a pitcher on the Rockies, so his overall numbers don’t look great. He owns a 5.07 ERA and opponents are OPSing .797 against him. Seven of his 16 starts this season have come at Coors, and in those starts he owns an 8.75 ERA and opponents are OPSing .968 against him. Away from Coors, Bettis has a 2.72 ERA and opponents have a .657 OPS against him. Remember this when he takes a perfect game into the sixth inning today. He pitched at Dodger Stadium on May 22 and held the Dodgers to two runs and three hits in five innings. He also faced the Dodgers at Coors on June 3, and allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
For the Dodgers, both Chris Taylor and Justin Turner are back in the lineup after not starting yesterday. Austin Barnes starts for the second time in this series behind the plate. For the Rockies, Charlie Blackmon gets a day off. Raimel Tapia starts in center a day after being called up while Jon Gray was demoted. Noted Rockies fan Allan had thoughts.
A 5.77 ERA is losing games for Rox, but among 88 qualified starters Gray ranks 11th in fWAR (2.5), 11th in FIP (3.07), 12th in K% (28.9%), 12th in SIERA, and 15th in DRA (2.72). Leads the league in BABIP (.386) MLB avg is .288. .386 BABIP allowed would be the highest since 1885. https://t.co/BI86w3tdqD
— Allan Yamashige (@AllanYamashige) June 30, 2018
Or, if the Rockies actually think he's bad and isn't getting literally the worst luck of all time — I would love to trade for him. Gray would likely "breakout" in Dodger Stadium.
— Allan Yamashige (@AllanYamashige) June 30, 2018
But seriously Dodgers, trade for him.
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Max Muncy is starting at second, which will be a thing moving forward.
Chase Utley starting is “a once-a-week thing,” Dave Roberts said. Dodgers now prefer Max Muncy at 2B vs RHP.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 1, 2018
Fan-favorite Logan Forsythe will also see starts at second against lefties.
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Dave Roberts will manage the NL All-Star team, and he’s chosen his assistants.
Dave Martinez & Bud Black will join Roberts & the #Dodgers coaching staff, for the All-Star game.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 1, 2018
Dave Martinez (Nationals) and Bud Black (Rockies) join Roberts on the coaching staff.
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Pedro Báez is still “a ways away,” Dave Roberts said. Tony Cingrani throws a bullpen tomorrow. Roberts said he likely would return more quickly than Báez.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 1, 2018
Pedro Baez hasn’t appeared since June 9 and Tony Cingrani hasn’t appeared since June 6. The bridge to Kenley Jansen has been shaky this season, so having two more options should help the team.
