Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Yesterday’s game was not fun for a while, then got real fun, then got real unfun again. In the end, Kenley Jansen blew a save and spoiled a very-2019-Dodger comeback. Tonight, the Dodgers search for their 64th win of the season in the third game of a four game set in Philly.
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Dodgers
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Phillies
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4:05 p.m.
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Philadelphia
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LF
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Pederson |
2B
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Hernandez | |
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3B
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Muncy |
SS
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Kingery | |
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1B
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Freese |
RF
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Harper | |
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RF
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Bellinger |
1B
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Hoskins | |
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CF
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Pollock |
3B
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Miller | |
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SS
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Seager |
CF
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Haseley | |
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2B
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Hernández | LF | Williams | |
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C
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Martin |
C
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Knapp | |
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P
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Maeda (R) |
P
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Pivetta (R) |
Kenta Maeda gets his second start since the All-Star break tonight and his 19th start of the season. His start in Boston was mostly fine, as he allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Red Sox. Maeda surpassed 100 innings thrown on the season in his last start and owns a 3.82 ERA for the season with a 4.31 FIP. His last start before the break was his longest start of the season, as he completed 7 2/3 innings and allowed four hits and three runs against the Padres in LA. Maeda’s last win came against the Phillies on May 31 in LA. He allowed two runs and three hits in six innings, with both runs being driven in by players that won’t be appearing tonight (Andrew McCutchen and Jake Arrieta). In seven starts since then, Maeda owns a 4.15 ERA and an 0-4 record.
Nick Pivetta gets his 13th start of the season for the Phillies. He’s had two very good starts this season, both coming at the beginning of June. He tossed six shutout innings in LA on June 2, allowing only three baserunners and striking out nine. Unfortunately for him, Rich Hill was stellar on the mound for the Dodgers and the Dodgers put up seven runs in the eighth inning. His next start was also great, as he tossed a complete game against the Reds, allowing one run while striking out six and allowing six hits. Pivetta has pitched 66 2/3 innings this season and 17 of those came in those two great starts. Despite that, he owns a 5.81 ERA/1.485 WHIP. He’s allowed at least three runs in each of his other 10 starts and has only completed six innings once. He’s allowed 16 homers in his 12 starts and has only 54 strikeouts with 21 walks.
Pivetta is a high spin pitcher, but has been hit pretty well this season.
Opposing batters are hitting .366 with a .723 slugging percentage against Pivetta’s fastball, which he throws nearly 50 percent of the time. He’s fared better with his offspeed pitches, but this feels like the type of pitcher the Dodgers should succeed against (unlike in his last start against them.)
Justin Turner gets the day off for the Dodgers with Max Muncy starting at third. Russell Martin starts behind the plate and David Freese starts at first against a righty. Nick Williams was recently activated by the Phillies, who placed Jay Bruce on the IL today.
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Jansen probably should have been removed after taking a comebacker to the ankle yesterday? Either way, he wasn’t very effective and isn’t available tonight.
Jansen is hoping to be available tomorrow.
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There was a bit of a fracas last night after the Dodgers took the lead in the ninth off Phillies closer Hector Neris. He threw at Freese, and has been punished for it.
Neris reportedly will appeal, so he’ll be available for the Phillies tonight.
