Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers won in commanding fashion yesterday, as a six-run first led to a 12-1 win. It was the second game I’ve been to this season, and the Dodgers have scored 26 runs in those two games. My Venmo is open for season ticket donations. The Dodgers are 38-25 and a game back of the Giants for first place in the NL West. The Giants dropped game one of their doubleheader earlier, so another loss and a Dodger win would put the two teams in a tie for first.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 7:10 PM | Los Angeles | ||
| SS | Kiner-Falefa | CF | Betts |
| LF | Calhoun (L) | SS | Taylor |
| CF | García | 3B | Turner |
| RF | Gallo (L) | 1B | Pujols |
| 1B | Lowe (L) | C | Smith |
| 2B | White | LF | Pollock |
| 3B | Holt (L) | 2B | Burns |
| C | Heim (S) | RF | McKinstry (L) |
| P | Allard (L) | P | Bauer (R) |
Trevor Bauer makes his 14th start of the season tonight. Bauer took the loss in his last outing in Atlanta, where he allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. The six hits were the most he’s allowed in a game this season, but after allowing three homers in his previous start Bauer kept Atlanta in the ballpark. It was his first start since rumors of cracking down on the use of foreign substances came about, and the results were worrisome.
Bauer’s spin rates were down significantly on every pitch besides his curveball. Heading into his last start, Bauer’s lowest average fastball spin rate in a game this season was 2741 RPM. On Sunday, it was 2613. It’s entirely possible he just had an off game, but the timing of that game definitely brought about suspicion (as does his tendency to open his mouth at all times).
Opposing Bauer is Kolby Allard. The San Clemente native will be making his third consecutive start after appearing in relief in his first nine outings of 2021. Allard has taken the loss in both of his starts despite pitching fairly decently. He allowed two runs in four innings in his first start against Seattle, and last time out allowed two in five innings against Tampa Bay. However, the Rangers have not scored in either of the two games he’s started. They are not very good. The 23-year-old lefty threw a season-high 79 pitches in that last game and hasn’t pitched since last Saturday, so he should be well-rested.
Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy each left last the game yesterday with injuries, and neither are in the lineup today. Bellinger and Gavin Lux were each slated to sit today against a lefty, so Chris Taylor starts at shortstop and newcomer Andy Burns starts at second. The Rangers are sitting their best pitcher from last night, as Charlie Culberson is not in the lineup today. Old friend Willie Calhoun starts in left.
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A pretty notable roster move this morning.
Burns was not on the 40-man roster, so Dennis Santana was designated for assignment to make room for Burns. Santana flashed some filthy stuff at times, but struggled for the most part. He’s still talented enough where it would be a surprise if he didn’t get snagged by some other team. Mitch White was optioned to make room on the active roster for Burns.
Burns is a 30-year-old that still has his rookie status. Burns appeared in 10 games for Toronto in 2016, going 0-for-6 with two strikeouts and a hit by pitch in seven plate appearances. He was released by Toronto and played in the KBO for two years, where he posted OPS’s of .859 and .842 in his two seasons. Toronto brought him back to the minors in 2019 and he joined the Dodger organization this season. Burns was crushing the ball at OKC, with a .330/.427/.598 slash line in 117 plate appearances.
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Neither Muncy or Bellinger have hit the IL at the time I’m writing this, but the Dodgers are prepared if one of them has to.
Luke Raley will be hanging around in case the Dodgers do need to bring in another bat. While Raley joins the team in LA, Yoshi Tsutsugo is heading the other way.
Tsutsugo will join Oklahoma City tomorrow and begin a rehab assignment for his calf injury.
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First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PDT and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.
