Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After a completely normal baseball game last night, the Dodgers look for yet another series win today in game two against the Rockies. The Dodgers’ 30-10 record has them six games up on the Padres entering Saturday’s action in the NL West and their +102 run differential is nearly double that of the second-highest in baseball (the Padres at +55). This team is p good, which is only going to make October that much more stressful.
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| 6:10 P.M. | Los Angeles | ||
| LF | Tapia (L) | RF | Betts |
| SS | Story | SS | Seager (L) |
| 3B | Arenado | 1B | Muncy (L) |
| DH | Blackmon (L) | CF | Bellinger (L) |
| CF | Pillar | DH | Pederson (L) |
| 1B | Murphy (L) | LF | Pollock |
| 2B | Hampson | 2B | Lux (L) |
| RF | Hilliard (L) | 3B | Rios (L) |
| C | Wolters (L) | C | Barnes |
| P | Marquez (R) | P | Gonsolin (R) |
Tony Gonsolin gets the start tonight for the first time since the Dodgers traded Ross Stripling to make room for him. He’s coming off his worst start of the season, which is a pretty low bar to clear when he didn’t allow a run in his first three starts. He allowed a run (gasp) in three innings in Texas, but struggled with command as he needed 62 pitches to get through those three innings. He issued three walks after walking only two batters in his first three outings, but recorded five of his nine outs via the strikeout.
Today will be Gonsolin’s second career start against the Rockies. His second major league appearance came at Satan Field, and Gonsolin allowed a run and three hits over four innings to pick up a four-inning save. All three of the hits he allowed came in that ninth inning, as he allowed two singles and a run-scoring double before closing out the game.
German Marquez gets the ball for the Rockies tonight. Today will be his ninth start, and most of his previous eight have been pretty good. He’s completed at least five innings in every start and allowed two or fewer runs in his first five starts. His last three have not been as good, as Marquez has allowed 18 runs in his last 16 innings over those three starts. Houston put up 10 runs on Marquez on August 20, and last time out he allowed five runs in six innings against the Padres.
Like most Rockies pitchers, Marquez fares much better away from Coors. In four home starts this season, Marquez has a 7.03 ERA and opponents are slashing .327/.367/.485 against him. On the road, Marquez owns a 2.66 ERA and opponents are slashing .207/.268/.402.
Marquez has yet to see the 2020 Dodgers, but he dominated them in 2019. On June 21, Marquez allowed two runs (one unearned) and five hits in eight innings. He followed that up on July 31 at Coors with six shutout innings, allowing only two hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters.
Cody Bellinger returns to centerfield after starting at first each of the last two nights. Max Muncy starts at first with Edwin Rios getting the start at third.
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The Joe Kelly rehab process is still ongoing.
There’s a joke to be made about Kelly’s command not being where it needs to be when the Dodgers signed him, but it’s too hot to make that joke right now. Whenever he is ready to return, he’ll still have to serve his five-game suspension.
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Justin Turner‘s rehab process is also still ongoing.
Earlier this week, it was reported Turner could return on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether that’s still the timetable, but the Dodgers can afford to not have to rush him back.
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Congrats to old friend Ross Stripling.
Is this a top-5 pregnancy announcement of all time?
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First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM PDT and will be shown on Sportsnet LA. It’s hot. Stay hydrated.
