Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (98-54) pulled off a ‘pen game with a 7-5 win over the Rays (89-63) on Tuesday night behind Corey Seager‘s pair of doubles and a 5-run seventh inning. The Dodgers will open with Casey Sadler instead of starting Tony Gonsolin Wednesday as they continue to test out playoff strategies.
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Rays
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Dodgers
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5:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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RF
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Meadows |
1B
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Freese | |
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LF
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Pham |
LF
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Pollock | |
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3B
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Lowe |
3B
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Taylor | |
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1B
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Choi |
CF
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Bellinger | |
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C
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d’Arnaud |
RF
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Hernandez | |
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2B
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Wendle |
2B
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Muncy | |
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CF
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Garcia | SS | Seager | |
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SS
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Adames |
C
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Smith | |
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P
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McKay (L) |
P
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Sadler (R) |
Sadler (4-0, 2.59 ERA, 4.45 FIP) hasn’t started a game since 2015 when he was with the Pirates. He’s made 21 relief appearances for the Dodgers this season (24.1 IP).
Gonsolin’s postseason status as a No. 4 starter should the Dodgers advance to the NLCS again is contingent on Hill’s health. Hill said he will face live hitters Friday and pitch in San Diego next Tuesday.
Since the cat-loving right-hander debuted on June 26 in Arizona, he’s shown consistency and the ability to keep the ball in the park. He also pitched well against the Yankees in a so-called ‘postseason preview’ matchup on August 24, allowing one run on two hits in five innings vs. the Bronx Bombers. The Dodgers could also use Gonsolin as an opener with Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda or Julio Urias backing him up.
Top left-handed pitching prospect Brendan McKay (2-4, 5.27 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays. The rookie is also vying for a postseason role in the Tampa Bay bullpen should they advance to the postseason. Last time out against the Rangers, McKay allowed three runs on six hits in 3.1 innings for a loss.
McKay pitched at Dodger Stadium in 2015 for Team USA. He’ll get an opportunity to hit, and he’s decent at the plate. McKay collected 99 hits and 15 home runs in the minors.
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Justin Turner isn’t in the lineup again. Chris Taylor starts at third base.
Justin Turner, with taped left ankle, is going through stretching exercises on the field with trainers.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 18, 2019
Turner jogged straight ahead, but he won’t return to games until he runs the bases and he didn’t do that today. He’s been out of the lineup for nine games and counting with sprained left ankle.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 18, 2019
No batting practice today. But with Turner hurt, on the field now are Jedd Gyorko, Edwin Rios and Kris Negron taking grounders at third base.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 18, 2019
I’m worried, guys.
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The Rays go into Wednesday’s contest with the AL’s second wild card spot, but they’re only 1/2 game ahead of the Indians. The A’s hold the first wild card by two games. The Dodgers have a 21-game lead on the D-backs, their largest NL West division lead in franchise history.
The Rays have more on the line, but home field advantage in the NLCS and World Series would be nice.
Postseason anxiety status: brewing.
