Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodger bats are cold again, as they’ve tallied three runs and nine hits in the last three games. Last night, Wade Miley dominated the Dodgers for seven innings and the Dodgers failed to reach base against either of the two relievers used by Milwaukee. Tonight, the Dodgers look to avoid a series loss against the Brewers and look to start August off on the right foot.
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Brewers
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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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Cain |
CF
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Pederson | |
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RF
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Yelich |
3B
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Machado | |
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1B
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Aguilar |
LF
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Kemp | |
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2B
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Schoop |
C
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Grandal | |
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LF
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Braun |
2B
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Dozier | |
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3B
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Moustakas |
1B
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Bellinger | |
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SS
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Perez | SS | Taylor | |
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C
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Piña |
RF
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Puig | |
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P
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Anderson (R)
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P
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Hill (L)
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Rich Hill starts for the Dodgers tonight following a very strong start in Atlanta. Hill allowed four baserunners (three hits and a walk) in seven shutout innings while striking out eight. His season numbers aren’t special (3.82 ERA/4.32 FIP), but Hill has been on a roll since returning from the DL on June 19. In his last eight appearances (seven starts and an inning of relief right before the All-Star break), Hill has posted a 2.47 ERA in 43 2/3 innings and struck out 52 batters with only 12 walks. Hill has gone at least six innings in five of those seven starts. One of those starts came in Milwaukee on July 20th. Hill went six innings and only allowed one run while striking out nine, but allowed five hits and four walks.
Chase Anderson starts for the Brewers tonight for the 22nd time this season. Anderson currently owns the second-worst difference between his ERA (3.69) and FIP (5.00) among qualified starters. His .236 BABIP is the third-lowest among qualified starters, so it seems like he’s had some luck on his side this season. However, Anderson has been excellent at preventing runs of late. In his last seven starts (37 1/3 innings), Anderson has allowed only eight earned runs good for a 1.93 ERA. Opponents are batting only .225/.285/.362 against him in this stretch despite a relatively standard .273 BABIP, so he’s definitely doing something right of late. Despite his success at preventing runs, Anderson has only completed six innings in three of these seven starts. Anderson’s shortest start in this stretch came against the Dodgers on July 21st. Anderson allowed two runs in four innings, but allowed six hits, two walks and struck out six batters. He needed 104 pitches to get through those four innings, a number he’s only surpassed in one start this year.
Prior to yesterday, the each teams’ starting second baseman played in the American League. Brian Dozier makes his Dodger debut tonight, starting at second and hitting fifth. Jonathan Schoop makes his Brewers’ debut tonight, starting at second and batting fourth. The Dodgers’ acquisition of Dozier could impact the playing time of a number of players, and tonight it’s Max Muncy not getting the start. Muncy only has one hit in the last six games. In 12 games since the home run derby broke him, Muncy has a .182/.275/.409 triple slash.
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The Dodgers Minor Leagues may have lost a pair of talented pitchers today.
Ariel Hernandez was designated for assignment yesterday to make room for Dozier/Axford on the 40-man roster. Had a 2.70 ERA with 46 K & 29 BB in 46⅔ in AA/AAA since joining Dodgers in April
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 1, 2018
RHP Drew Hutchison, who had thrown 23 consecutive scoreless innings at the Dodgers’ Oklahoma City affilIate, opted out of his minor league contract.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 1, 2018
Ariel Hernandez was DFA’d, and considering the season he put up at Triple A-OKC, he probably will get scooped up by some team. He was a 40-man casualty, as the Dodgers needed a spot after adding two 40-man players and losing only one at the deadline (Logan Forsythe). They’ll likely need two more 40-man spots as the season winds down to bring Hyun-Jin Ryu and Julio Urias back off the 60-day DL.
Drew Hutchison was not a 40-man casualty, but he elected to become a free agent after a strong couple months in the Dodgers’ system. It’s a bit interesting that Hutchison, who will turn 28 in August, didn’t get a look despite a number of pitching injuries for the Dodgers.
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Because the Dodgers don’t already have an infield logjam.
Dave Roberts said Justin Turner is expected to be activated tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 1, 2018
Justin Turner is expected back tomorrow, returning from tweaking his adductor after previously injuring his adductor but not being placed on the DL but still not playing for nine days. The Dodgers’ new infielders should give him room to ease back in.
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No changes to the Dodgers’ rotation for the upcoming three-game series against Houston.
Rotation versus the #Astros stays in turn.
Wood – Friday
Maeda – Saturday
Buehler – Sunday— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 1, 2018
The Astros will be a bit shorthanded, as Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are both on the DL while George Springer is day-to-day with a shoulder injury.
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Ross Stripling has a target date for his return.
Ross Stripling said he will be activated from the DL in time to start August 9 or 10 in Colorado.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) August 2, 2018
While the infield is crowded, the rotation could get extremely crowded with Ryu and Stripling on track to return in the near future. Stripling was placed on the DL on Monday with toe inflammation.
