Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (60-49) go for a split in the four-game series against the Brewers (63-48). The bats finally came alive in the 6-4 extra-inning walk-off win Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Brian Dozier had an immediate impact, Yasiel Puig was licking and hitting, and Yasmani Grandal continues to be one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. Thursday’s series finale is important in that it segues into a weekend clash with the Houston Astros.
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Brewers
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Dodgers
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6:00 PM
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Los Angeles
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CF
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Cain |
LF
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Pederson | |
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RF
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Yelich |
SS
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Machado | |
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1B
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Aguilar |
3B
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Turner | |
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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 |
CF
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Bellinger | |
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3B
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Shaw |
2B
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Dozier | |
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C
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Kratz | 1B | Muncy | |
| SS | Arcia |
RF
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Puig | |
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P
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Chacin (R)
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P
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Kershaw (L)
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Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 2.52 ERA, 3.07 FIP) makes his 16th start of the season and looks to build upon his last start in Atlanta, a really solid outing. He pitched 7 2/3 innings, his longest start of the year. The supreme southpaw allowed one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and no walks on 101 pitches. Although his velocity has been a focal point of discussion this season, he’s still been extremely effective this year despite his two injuries. He also drove in two runs at the plate in his last start. #pitcherswhorake
Kersh faced the Brewers on July 21 and was tagged with the loss after he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings. Even though Kershaw surrendered a solo home run to Christian Yelich, the Dodgers’ defense and base running didn’t help the cause. Overall in his career against Milwaukee, Kershaw is 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings pitched. He’ll have to be wary of Ryan Braun who is 11-for-35 (.314) vs. Kershaw with two doubles and a home run. Yelich is 7-for-14 (.500) with a homer against him. Yelich is in the running for a batting title and is third in the NL with a .316 batting average.
The marquee pitching matchup features Jhoulys Chacin (10-3, 3.45, 3.91 FIP) for the Brew Crew. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Giants last Saturday. Chacin went on to allow just one run on three hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk on 107 pitches for the win in San Francisco.
The right-handed veteran is 11-8 with a 4.03 ERA in 25 career games (24 starts) against the Dodgers. He’s 5-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 11 games at Dodger Stadium. Chacin hasn’t faced the Dodgers since last season when he was still with the San Diego Padres.
Matt Kemp has hit three home runs against Chacin. Kemp has been in a second half slump and hasn’t hit a home run since his two on July 22. After hitting .310 with 15 home runs in 92 games over the first half, he’s hitting .205 with just three extra-base hits in 13 games.
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Justin Turner was activated off the DL. Turner has played in only 50 games this year after missing the first 40 games with a broken wrist out of Spring Training. A right groin strain has sidelined him recently. JT’s batting third and starting at the hot corner. That shifts Manny Machado back to shortstop, Max Muncy to first base and Cody Bellinger to center field. This lineup is very good in my opinion. Unfortunately Chris Taylor gets the bump to the bench, but I’m sure we’ll see him at some point during the game.
It was announced late that Chase Utley is headed to the DL with left wrist inflammation.
Hyun-Jin Ryu will make a rehab start tonight in Rancho Cucamonga. Reliever Zac Rosscup will also begin a rehab assignment with the Quakes.
ROSTER MOVES: LHP Jason Richman has been transferred to Double-A Tulsa of the Texas League. LHP Austin Hamilton has been activated from the DL. In addition, @Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu and LHP Zac Rosscup have been added to the Rancho roster and are expected to pitch tonight.
— Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) August 2, 2018
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The schedule for the 2018 postseason was released today. A World Series Game 7, if necessary, would fall on Halloween. Perhaps another Dodger game viewing from a back of hearse on Halloween is in my future.
The 2018 Postseason will begin on Tues., 10/2 with the NL Wild Card presented by Hankook on ESPN, followed by the AL Wild Card Game presented by Hankook on Wed., 10/3 on TBS. The 114th World Series presented by YouTube TV begins on Tues.,10/23. pic.twitter.com/4V4MH5HScc
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) August 2, 2018
The game is on in the back of a hearse! pic.twitter.com/HSpNXpgFPm
— Stacie Wheeler (@StacieMWheeler) November 1, 2017
