Rays at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, Fox Sports Sun, MLBN (out-of-network only)
The visitors in this interleague matchup send Chris Archer (5-13, 4.60 ERA) to the mound to face the Dodgers’ Bud Norris (5-9, 4.56 ERA). Archer had his first quality start in a month his last time out, going six innings while giving up two runs on four hits. This will be his first career start against the Dodgers. He and his team haven’t done well in his starts recently: “The Rays are 2-10 in Archer’s last 12 starts, and he owns a 4.74 ERA in 74 innings with opponents hitting .248 against him over that stretch.” Norris lost in relief in the 16-inning game last Friday night against the Cardinals, and he also lost his last start when he gave up six runs on seven hits to the Nats July 20.
Yasiel Puig is still suffering from a sore hamstring and Roberts suggested he may have to go on the 15-day DL if he’s not back today. He’s not in the lineup but there’s been no Twitter announcement of his de-activation.
Lineup:
Tonight's Dodger lineup vs. Rays:
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Kendrick LF
Grandal C
Toles RF
Pederson CF
Norris P— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 26, 2016
NPUT
Wow! I am really late to the party. These west coast games are just too late for me, and it looks like my finger nails would not have survived the seventh and ninth innings anyway. I did stay up later than usual to observe the ISS (International Space Station) fly over though.
That sounds cool – watching the ISS.
Yay, but that 8th inning was ugly.
Doc having to juggle relievers to deal with recent difficulties in the normal rotation. Blanton OPS against of 825 in last 4 games (.375 Babip) and Libby 1.000 in last 3 games (.571 Babip). And Kenley merely being good .695 in last 4 games. Baez .091 in last 4 games and Avilan .333 in last 3 games have stepped it up, however.
Reds tried but could only score 1 in the 9th. SF wins 9-7. Back to 2 1/2 games behind.
In reality, the Gnats tried to give it away, but the Reds refused to take it.
Just saw the replay on the Rays 2nd run on the passed ball. Glad it didn’t cost the Dodgers the game, because it looked like he missed touching the plate.
Yeah, looked that way to me as well.
Dodgers 16-8 since Kershaw last pitched. And realistically could have been 18-6. How long is this sustainable?
That .666. giants managed .678 over May-June.
Tough loss for Archer. Only 1 earned run – although didn’t help himself with a throwing error that contributed to the 2 run inning against him. And giving up the game winning HR.
Archer impressed me. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Dodger uniform, depending on the cost.
For the moment only 2 back. But likely to be short lived.
Woo-HOO!!!! (Caught the 9th on Gameday)
We win!
Got him!
Miller is definitely the one to get. Don’t Longiria to come up again tonight.
Kenley rarely gets it up to 96 mph these days, but did on that one hitting the batter.
And the two right before as well.
Yep, his velocity is up. But a little wild.
Strike out here please.
Thank you. Now one more out. Please.
Good thought. Good thoughts. Good thoughts.
Well Kenley. Close it out today and hopefully we don’t need you to pitch tomorrow.
I’m quite sure Howie would gladly take a win over a chance to continue his hitting streak tonight.
Libby being given some time off after his last performance.
Walking Pearce is good. We can still get out of this hopefully with no more runs being scored.
It was close to the plate, but Grandal not in a position to make a good throw.
Good on ya Blanton!
Walk Longiria to load the bases.
I would put him on.
Pearce is having a good night, though.
Well, now they can put him on (though Joe would have been the one to do It)
Oops forgot about Dickerson.
Now they can put Pearce on.
It is “Pearce.”
https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/758153208946581504
Uh-oh. Blanton not having a smooth inning here at all.
Well, we knew it was coming. Just didn’t know by whom and whether anyone would be on base.
It was a no-doubter.
No doubter from Yas! (Present for Dave).
Order restored.
JP in Libby’s usual slot.
Not bad pitching but still would like to see the starter go a full 7 more regularly. 104 pitches through 6 1/3 is a lot of pitches for that point in the game.
Not that many, and he did pitch in Saturday’s loss.
Most pitches in a game for him this year.
Not that many for a 8+ inning start, but a fair number for less than 7.
Good point about pitching on Saturday. I had just recalled that as well.
Crazy game in Toronto. SD hit a 3 run HR and – in the top of the 12th inning – a 2 run HR. Toronto on the other hand, scored in various ways like passed ball and – in the bottom of the 12th – bases loaded walk, fielders choice and wild pitch to win 7-6.
Game moving along to this point. Which means it is likely to go extra innings or something.
Wow! Already the 7th and double wow, Nud still pitching.
Nud has really settled down.
Not sure – is that Norris you are talking about? If so then yes he certainly has.
Nud Borris, as Reverend Spooner would call him (“The Lord is a shoving leopard”).
Spoonerisms are so fun. I have to be careful using them too much at home though. My son is a bit dyslexic and can get words mixed up without meaning too. My purposely changing words around doesn’t help him.
But Nud Borris is a great one.
I’m ready for Archer to give up his obligatory home run anytime now.
He has given up 20 (more?) HR’s – which is more than than any single Dodger has hit.
Hush! Norris hr rate is 2 per 9, Archer is at 1.5.
Wow. I didn’t have any idea. Thanks for all your great stat insights here Bob.
The blog is so quiet today, Winnipeg Dave is talking to himself 🙂
And I just told him to hush!?
Seager obliges.
They seem to want to give us a run.
nice way to escape the leadoff double
Link, you misspelled “Devil Rays.”
I’m polite. I’ll call you what you want to be called.