Cubs at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: NBCSCH, SPNLA
The Cubbies send wily veteran LHP Jon Lester (5-4, 3.56 ERA) to the hill against the Dodgers’ own wily veteran LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 3.00 ERA). Lester had a strong outing on June 3 against the Angels but in his next start he gave up four first-inning runs to the Cardinals, although he went five scoreless innings after that blip. Kershaw had won every time out until his last start, when he went seven innings and gave up two runs to the Giants. His teammates could only get one run against four San Francisco pitchers and Kershaw took the loss.
The Dodgers put Corey Seager on the IL and activated IF Matt Beaty from the same list.
It was initially thought he had suffered a Grade 2 strain, which usually requires four to six weeks to fully heal. But the club said that an MRI on Wednesday revealed a strain “between Grade 1 and Grade 2,” less severe than Tuesday night’s initial exam indicated. The Dodgers have not placed a timetable on his return.
The Dodgers are pursuing LHP closer Brad Hand of the Indians, if USA Today’s Bob Nightengale is to be believed.
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1957 In a game which features the ejection of Johnny Logan and Don Drysdale, Clem Labine loses for the first time in ten months and 38 relief appearances when the Braves beat Brooklyn, 8-5. The Milwaukee shortstop charged the mound after getting drilled in the ribs by the Dodger right-hander, resulting in banishment for both players.
- 1973 The Dodgers infield, a quartet which will be together eight and a half years, setting a major league record for longevity, plays together for the first time. First baseman Steve Garvey, second baseman Davey Lopes, third baseman Ron Cey, and shortstop Bill Russell are in the lineup in the 16-3 defeat to the Phillies.
- 1998 The first triple play ever completed at Dodger Stadium is turned by Darren Dreifort (p), Eric Young (2b), Jose Vizcaino (ss), and Bobby Bonilla (3b). With Colorado runners on first and second base, the 1-6-4 double play becomes a triple killing when Jamey Wright is thrown out at third base by the LA second baseman, who covered first base for the second out.
- 2010 The Angels, with their first sweep at Dodger Stadium, complete their 14-game road trip with 11 victories, the most for the team on a single trip since 1962. In the 6-5 decision over their crosstown rivals, Halo hurler Jered Weaver strikes out his older brother, Jeff, who came into the game as a long reliever in the third inning, for the first time since they were kids.
Lineup:
Tonight’s Dodger lineup vs. Cubs :
Hernández LF
Turner 3B
Freese 1B
Bellinger RF
Taylor SS
Muncy 2B
Verdugo CF
Barnes C
Kershaw P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/Z4t4XvxJ24— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 13, 2019
NPUT
A needed RH bat? https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/1139656042562777088?s=20
If he’s stays healthy, and his problems pre-IL were due to the injury and not age, he could be.
Dodgers now 14-9 against lefty starters.
Dodgers now 14-9 against lefty starters.
Over a full season, that would only project to 98.6 wins (sounds normal, though).
It’s gotten better than it was because their current winning streak in games started by a lefty is 2. Those were against against Bumgarner and Lester, so that’s to the good. Helps that Cody seems to have emerged from his slump. The next lefty coming is Quintana on Sunday, facing an even better one in Ryu.
I haven’t cared about the NBA since the Sonics left Seattle – I saw some of their first games ever at the Seattle Center Coliseum. My wife is a Warriors fan, though, because she’s met Steve Kerr at our local Peet’s, and he’s a really nice guy.
Freese! Woot! (Still exercising. Still whooping.)
Nice recovery from a poor start.
Glad to see Urias go 3 innings. Freese will be getting a lot of playing time.
Somewhat encouraging news on Seager, though he’ll still be missed.
A 2.5 strain sounds weeks shorter than a 2+ strain.
It sounds like 1+ to 2-.
Or maybe D+ to C- in school lingo.
Dodgers maintain 9-1/2 game lead over Rox and Snakes. Pads fall to 13 GB, Gnats to 16.5. Still best record in NL, but .005 behind the Twinkies for best in baseball.
Great W for Kershaw after a very rough start.
Woo-HOO!!!!!
Belli bomb #2!!!
Thank you, Schwarber.
Would have been nice to score a few more runs in that inning and get us close to a Kelley appearance.
Verdugo seems to be returning to form as well.
Lester strikes out the side but a whole bunch of stuff happened between strikeouts.
I’ll take 2 at a time any time
Bellinger appears to have recovered his stroke.
The ball appears to be flying out tonight.
Now, though, it’s going out for the right team.
Still going after the first Kersh pitch hard.
Still a terrible strike zone.
Cody and Max!!!!
Yeah!!! (Exercising and whooping)
This looks more like the Dodgers we’ve been accustomed to this season.
That’s better…
Not that great a bunt, but Barnes made it work.
Ruh roh.
So far, this is not gratifying.
Ump uneven calls.
Nice recovery inning by Clayton.
With a modest pitch count.
Yep. Love his poise and competitive spirit.
Cubbies’ game plan is to hit early and hit hard.
Thank you, Lester.
Deep breath, RBI. It’s early in the game.
The two teams have switched personalities…
Rizzo tried to steal home? That’s about the third attempt to steal that base in the big leagues in the last week. I can’t remember the last time there were so many attempts to steal THAT base even in a season, much less a week.
CS. Thank goodness!
What I love about Kershaw is the way he adjusts.
Terrible start.
Kersh needs an out, big time.
Goodness gracious.
That’s not an optimum beginning.
That’s OUR trick!