Aug 14

Game 123, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Braves, 9:10AM PT, TV: SPNLA

Getaway day comes early for the Dodgers, as game time is noon in Atlanta. One wonders how many fans will show up for daytime baseball in mid-week.

The Dodgers will ask Roberto Hernandez (6-8, 3.83 ERA) to repeat what he did in his first start for the team after arriving via trade last week. In that game he pitched six innings and gave up just two runs, both in the first. He got a no-decision. His opponent will be former Dodger Aaron Harang (9-6, 3.31 ERA), who pitched seven strong innings himself last time out for the Braves. He too got no decision. He’s had a 2.55 ERA in his last nine starts, so he’s been pitching well.

Lineup when available.

Aug 13

Game 122, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Braves, 4:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

Hyun-Jin Ryu goes for the Dodgers. He’s 13-5 with a 3.21 ERA coming off a seven-inning two-hit performance against the Angels Thursday night. His opponent will be Ervin Santana, who’s 11-6 with a 3.69 ERA. His last outing wasn’t so scintillating: he was sailing along against the Nationals until the sixth inning when he gave up four runs, three on a dinger by Anthony Rendon (who?).

In off-the-field news, the Dodgers asked for waivers on Chone Figgins for purposes of giving him his unconditional release. They also announced that minor-league reliever Colt Hynes, who had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers, has been claimed by the Blue Jays. Lastly, the team announced that Stephen Fife will undergo Tommy John surgery today. It will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Lineup when available.

Aug 12

Game 121, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Braves, 4:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN

The Dodgers send Dan Haren to the hill. Last time out he went 7 1/3 innings, holding the Angels to three hits and one run. Before that he’d been on a five-game losing streak. It’s a safe bet that Haren, the Dodgers and the fans all hope the good Haren shows up for tonight’s game.

Haren will face Mike Minor, who’s had a very odd history recently.

He entered this season having posted a 2.90 ERA in his previous 47 starts (going back to July 5, 2012). He produced a 3.07 ERA in his first seven starts this year, but he has a 7.33 ERA in the 10 starts that have followed.

You could say Minor and Haren have had roughly the same kind of season. Minor has had pretty good success against the Dodgers over his four-year career: he’s 1-1 with a 2.32 ERA in five previous starts against them.

Lineup when available.

Aug 11

Game 120, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Braves, 4:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ESPN

Newly-acquired Kevin Correia is thrown directly into the fire, making his first start for the Dodgers the very day he’s activated. Pedro Baez was optioned to Albuquerque to make room for him. Correia’s last start was a six-inning, three-run outing against the Padres on August 6. He’ll face Julio Teheran, who is 10-8 with a 2.92 ERA on the season. He had a good game against the Dodgers on July 31, but Kershaw outpitched him (or gave up fewer runs, anyway).

Lineup:

Aug 10

Game 119, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Brewers, 11:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, TBS

Clayton Kershaw v. Jimmy Nelson. It looks like a mismatch, but “that’s why they play the games.” The veteran Kershaw is 13-2 with a 1.82 ERA, while the rookie Nelson is 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA. The kid has had three straight quality starts, though.

In personnel news, Hanley Ramirez is probably headed for the DL with an oblique injury. The Dodgers acquired RHP Kevin Correia from the Twins for a player to be named later or cash. Correia is 5-13 with a 4.94 ERA this season for the Twins, who are in last place in the AL Central. He was once an All-Star who went to the game in 2011 while with the Pirates. He’s 74-91 with a 4.53 ERA in his twelve-year career.

As expected, the Dodgers placed SS Hanley Ramirez on 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain and recalled INF Darwin Barney from Albuquerque.

Lineup when available.

Aug 09

Game 118, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Brewers, 4:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN

The Dodgers try to bounce back from last night’s disappointment (Hernandez deserved better!), and what better way to do so than to put Zack Greinke (Ace 1B) out on the hill? This is rather startling: no matter who Greinke pitches for, his team wins when he pitches at Miller Park. Lifetime the Brewers, Angels and Royals are 25-2 with him on the mound in Milwaukee. Greinke is 12-7 with a 2.71 ERA this season, coming off a loss to the Angels in which he pitched seven innings with one bad one in the first.

His opponent will be Mike Fiers, who’ll make his first start of the year today. Fiers’ first full year in the majors was in 2012 with the Brewers when he made 22 starts and went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA. He spent most of 2013 in the minors. He may have been injured, as he only pitched 57 innings overall that season. In the minors this year he’s got 129 strikeouts against only 17 walks. His control would seem to be good.

Hanley Ramirez was scheduled to have an MRI on his side today after leaving the game in the first inning yesterday. As he’s not in today’s lineup, they’re being careful.

Lineup:

Aug 08

Game 117, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Brewers, 5:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

The Dodgers will trot out their brand-new pitcher Roberto Hernandez, who’s been pretty good lately: he’s won his past three decisions, pitching at least seven innings in three of his past five starts. He admits to butterflies:

“It’s the first time that I’ve been traded,” Hernandez said through a translator. “Obviously it’s a nice feeling going to a team that has a chance. I’m really nervous right now. I wasn’t expecting this. I’m excited, but at the same time, I’m nervous.”

The Brewers counter with Kyle Lohse, who lasted only four innings Saturday against the Cardinals, giving up nine runs. Overall he’s 11-6 with a 3.40 ERA.

It may be a surprise, but this is a series between two first-place teams. The Dodgers lead the Giants by 3 1/2 games in the NL West, as you know, but the Brewers lead the Cardinals by a game in the NL Central.

Update: SI has a discussion of the Dodgers’ rotation with the loss of Beckett and Maholm as well as Haren’s recent troubles and the loss to the DL of Chris Perez and Paco Rodriguez.

Lineup when available.


I am amused that our second baseman’s name is now Dee rather than Gordon.

Aug 07

Game 116, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Angels, 7:05PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSW

The Dodgers hope to take the series 3-1 behind Hyun-Jin Ryu, who’s got 12 quality starts in his last 14 and is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his past four. In 21 starts this season, Ryu has allowed two or fewer earned runs 14 times. He’s 12-5 with a 3.39 ERA overall. His opponent will also be a lefty, C.J. Wilson. He’s having an up-and-down year for the Halos; he’s 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA overall and trending downward.

Wilson limped into a stint on the disabled list with a right ankle sprain following a rough outing on July 9. That wrapped up a four-start stretch that saw Wilson’s 3.34 ERA increase by nearly a full run. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, Wilson’s return to the hill was also tough.

He surrendered six earned runs on six hits in only 1 1/3 innings against the Rays on Saturday. His ERA in his past five turns is 12.50.

Nonetheless, this is a guy with an 81-59 career record and a lifetime ERA of 3.71.

In acquisitions news, the Dodgers have acquired Roberto Hernandez from the Phillies for two “low-level minor leaguers.” He’s the guy who used to be Fausto Carmona. He’s 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 23 appearances for the Phillies, 20 of them starts.

A source told ESPN.com that he will take the place of Josh Beckett in the Dodgers’ rotation.

Beckett has been attempting to pitch with a torn labrum in his hip. But this deal is an indication he could be injured more seriously than was previously thought.

Happy Birthday, Mike Trout! Celebrate it with a bunch of hits and runs after the Dodgers series is done, please!

Lineup when available.

I can’t find an explanation for Gordon’s absence from the lineup.

Aug 06

Game 115, 2014

Posted on by

Dodgers at Angels, 7:05PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSW

Dan Haren versus Matt Shoemaker. Haren’s lost five straight games and has a 10.03 ERA, allowing 36 hits and six home runs in 23 1/3 innings over that stretch. Opponents have hit .340 with a 1.016 OPS against him. Shoemaker is 2-2 with a 7.45 ERA in his last four starts himself.

Lineup:

Aug 05

Game 114, 2014

Posted on by

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSW

Repeat Pitcher-of-the-Month winner Clayton Kershaw goes after his 14th win tonight against Hector Santiago, who’s 3-7 with a 3.76 ERA. Santiago’s last outing was a scoreless two innings in relief in the Angels’ 1-0 13-inning win over the Orioles last Thursday night. His last start was July 27, when he gave up one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings against the Tigers.

Kershaw, meanwhile, has won 10 straight and is 13-2 on the season with a best in-the-majors 1.71 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 121 1/3 innings.

Lineup:

via Twitter: The Dodgers placed LHP Paco Rodriguez on 15-day disabled list with a Teres Major strain & recalled RHP Pedro Baez from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Oh by the way: “The Angels, at 92-48, have the best Interleague record since 2007.”