Dodgers at Cubs, 11:10 AM PDT, TV: NBCSCH, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA
RHP Ross Stripling (1-1, 3.07 ERA) climbs the hill for the Dodgers and the Cubs trot out veteran lefty Jon Lester (1-0, 2.57 ERA) in his return from the IL, where he’s been since April 8 with a strained hamstring. This will be Stripling’s sixth and possibly last start for a while, as Rich Hill is coming off the IL and will make his first start of the year on Sunday.
The Dodgers are 7-9 against the NL Central Division. They are 3-0 against the Reds, 4-3 against the Brewers, 0-4 against the Cardinals and 0-2 against the Cubs with one game to go in this series.
Today in Dodgers history:
- 1937 Cliff Melton becomes the first rookie to fan at least 10 batters in his major league debut, finishing with 13 strikeouts in a complete-game loss to the Braves at the Polo Grounds. The 25 year-old southpaw, who loses the 3-1 contest due to the poor defense of the Giants in the ninth inning, will hold the rookie record for K’s in his debut until Dodger freshman Karl Spooner whiffs 15 batters in his first major league start in 1954.
- 1958 In front of 60,635 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Dodgers, who beat St. Louis, 5-2, set a National League record for the largest crowd to attend a night game during the regular season. The mark will be broken next season when 61,552 fans show up on Opening Night at the Coliseum to watch their team defeat the Redbirds again.
- 1967 Jim Lefebvre commits three errors in the fourth frame, paving the way for the Braves’ 7-1 victory at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles third baseman commits a fourth error, booting Hank Aaron’s grounder in the top of the ninth inning.
- 1975 LA hurler Andy Messersmith strokes three doubles at Candlestick Park. The trio of two-baggers contributes to the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory over San Francisco with the right-hander scoring two runs and driving in another en route to his victory.
- 1976 During the fourth inning of the game being played at Dodger Stadium, Rick Monday becomes a national hero when he takes away an American Flag about to be set on fire by the two trespassers (a father and son) in the outfield. The Cubs’ 30 year-old fly chaser, who served six years in the Marine Reserves, will be presented the flag a month later in a pregame ceremony at Wrigley Field by L.A. executive Al Campanis as a gesture of patriotic thanks.
- 1995 The 257-day strike ends when the Dodgers beat the Marlins 8-7. The work stoppage caused last season to end early, forced the cancellation of the World Series, and delayed the opening of this season.
Lineup when available.
Today’s Dodger lineup at Cubs:
Hernández 2B
Turner 3B
Freese 1B
Bellinger RF
Pollock CF
Verdugo LF
Taylor SS
Gale C
Stripling P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/fG7zRq6ril— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 25, 2019
NPUT
At least they got one. But dang I wanted more from Belli there!
He just barely missed it.
Puig just nailed Freddie Freeman at 2B after a juggle (deke?) in RF.
Dodger right-handed batters went 7-for-61 in this series, primarily against lefties. But the Pirates are throwing three right-handers against us this weekend, — Archer, Musgrove and Williams — so we will be well stocked with left-handed hitters. Dodger hurlers will be Ryu, Kershaw and Hill.
¡Zurdos contra fachos!
We go 4-3 on the road trip.
Pirates tomorrow in LA. 3-game “homestand” then six games with Giants and Padres at their stadia.
It will be the Dodgers’ first trip to Software Stadium.
“A rose by any other name…”
I just hope they don’t step in it.
That was a meatball to Almora.
Still in first.
By an eyelash.
Dodgers win!
G A M E O V E R
Maybe a circle change away from saying this at the top of the ninth instead of the end of the ninth.
Phew.
Woo-PHEW!!!
No worries. There was room for one solo hr. But no more!!
Hush #2
Kenley needs to stop giving up home runs.
Third one surrendered this year.
Feels like more.
Yep.
No drama please.
Oops.
Oops.
Hush
Let’s close it out here Kenley.
Kenley Time?
A good inning by Kelly. Maybe it is the start of a strong streak.
The talent is there. The execution hasn’t been (speaking of which, I wouldn’t mind seeing Verdugo as the Dodgers’ Ohtani).
Ball?
Kelly almost gave up his proverbial run in his inning of work but the inning is young.
Bellinger is a decent ball player.
Rare to hit the top of the fence and only get a single
Muncy needs to either hit more home runs or catch that pop up.
Ha!
Coulda been so much more!
Zero hits nets one run so maybe as much as they deserved.
There have been more Cub pitchers than strikes thrown so far this inning.
That makes it sound like the Dodgers are scoring runs
Let’s go Muncy.
Good call on the reversal.
Good future person, again!
Argh.
Ground ball right to an infielder please.
Thank you!
Good future person!
Keep up the good work
Taylor hitting the ball solidly at least.
Very hard contact, line drives.
Trade high?
Superb outing by Báez.
Arizona beat Pittsburgh, 5-0. If we lose we fall into third place, one-half game behind the D’Backs and percentage points behind the Padres.
Dodgers need to finish up each month in first place.
Ok, but why?
A good goal and it says they were the best team all year long.
Death of the West greatly exaggerated? (3 of top 4 NL teams)
Good strategy to pitch around Bellinger, particularly with how so many of his teammates are hitting.
Time for Turner to let his hair grow
Nice job, Pedro.
Orel and Joe seem to think Stripling is injured, and that’s why he came out. Maybe.
If he was injured, that is one thing. But he sure had been pitching well: 4.1 innings, 5 hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks.
Ugh. May mean that Yimi hangs around a bit more.
Yimi’s been good lately.
5 straight appearances with no runs, though mostly low leverage until last night.
Do we have any right-handed relievers in OKC or Tulsa worth calling up?
I like Schultz
They could, but it would be only to Sunday when Hill come off of IL.
Brock Stewart should be available.
I wasn’t paying enough attention to hear that.
I’d stick with Stripling, but I won’t quarrel with the decision.
Hindsight says it worked out. At least so far.
What will the bullpen give us today?
Gales looks to be a very good defensive catcher so why not use him more to give Barnes rest. It’s not like Barnes is hitting better lately.
Good point.
I was a little surprised Verdugo got to third after stumbling between first and second.
After all that….one run; on an error.
It’s an earned, run, though.
Yes, even if Baez had thrown out Taylor, Verdugo would have scored on Gales’ single had that sequence repeated itself.
Good job Taylor and happy to see you remembered which base to run to when making contact.
Remembered last night as well.
Yes he did.
Woot!
Belli and Dugo are the bomb right now.
No production: Dodger right-handed batters are now 6-for-50 (.120) in this series. Including the last two games in Milwaukee, they are 6-for-77 (.078).
Yikes!
Why do broadcasters insist on using the word “scuffling” when they mean “struggling?”
Maybe they are slumping.
One definition of scuffle by Merriam-Webster: “to struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion.”
Man up Lester and throw one over the plate
He answers back, “Why?”
Stripling looking very good. Now let’s get him some runs.
Stripling has kept it scoreless but has done a bit of a high wire act – allowing base runners each inning.
But yes – let’s get some runs!
Belli heard you.
Taylor is starting at shortstop. Why?
Seager’s getting a day off, and Taylor’s a really good SS.
But Taylor can’t hit a lick, strikes out about half the time, and Seager had a day off on Monday. Surely, he can start three straight games.
https://twitter.com/DavidYoungTBLA/status/1121488477235728384?s=20
Seager has actually appeared in all 26 games to date, which is the most on the team. Remember that the plan was to rest him a bit more as he is coming off an injury. Day game after night game with a lefty on the mound. What better time?
I see your point. However, Seager was on an 11-for-27 streak.
Steal second. Big lead off against Lester and run.
Who will be watching baseball on a nice Spring day game?
https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-stock-up-stock-down-joc-rakes-kike-slumps/2019/04/25/
New day. Time to get back on the winning side. But I will confess – I’m getting tired of the NL Central and there is still another series to go with Pittsburgh.