Jun 21

Game 73, 2016

Nationals at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MASN

The Nats send Tanner Roark (6-4, 3.14 ERA) out to make his first-ever start against the Dodgers, who counter with Scott Kazmir (5-3, 4.64 ERA). It’s a matchup of differing pitchers: Roark has made it through six innings in 11 of his 14 starts, while Kazmir hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in any of his three starts since May 31.

The Dodgers want to extend their four-game winning streak while the Nationals want to halt their three-game losing streak.

As expected, the Dodgers have activated Yasiel Puig from the 15-day DL and have optioned Carlos Frias back to OKC.

Also, Vinnie is taking the night off to rest his sore throat.

Lineup:

Sep 23

Game 151, 2015

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ESPN

First, this is not good news:

The Diamondbacks start Chase Anderson (6-6, 4.52 ERA) against the perennial All Star To Be Determined (as of 1:45PM PT). Anderson is taking the place of Rubby De La Rosa, who’s had a tough time with the Dodgers this season (0-3, 11.21 ERA).

Lineup (and pitcher) when available.

Carlos Frias starts for the Dodgers.

Jul 11

Game 89, 2015

Brewers at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

Taking the place of Carlos Frias, who’s been on the DL since July 1 with lower back tightness, is the Dodgers’ latest reclamation project Brandon Beachy. He’ll be making his first major league start in nearly two years. He last pitched for the Atlanta Braves in August 2013, then had Tommy John surgery (for the second time!) in March of 2014 and has been rehabbing ever since. In four years with the Braves he was 14-11 with a 3.23 ERA. None of those numbers mean a thing now.

Sports Illustrated’s current issue (July 6, 2015) has an illuminating article which cites a study showing that only 67% of pitchers who undergo Tommy John surgery fully recover. And a different statistician cites his numbers to indicate that one of every two pitchers who undergo the surgery throws fewer than 100 innings in the rest of his career.

For Beachy’s sake let’s hope he fits in the “more than 100 innings” category.

His opponent will be rookie right-hander Taylor Jungmann, who’s 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in six big league starts.

Lineup when available.

Jun 30

Game 79, 2015

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FS-A

Senor Frias (5-5, 4.31 ERA) for the Dodgers and Senor De La Rosa (6-3, 4.69 ERA) for the D-Backs. This is the third time Frias has started against the Arizona team, and he gave up only one run in those previous twelve innings. De La Rosa has also started twice against the Dodgers, but he’s been pretty bad, giving up fourteen runs in ten innings.

Lineup when available.

Jun 25

Game 74, 2015

Dodgers at Cubs, 11:20AM PT, TV: SPNLA

Every Red Sox and Cubs fan knows who Jon Lester is, while only Dodgers fans know who Carlos Frias is. Yet they have identical 4-5 W-L records this season. Lester’s not had a win in his last six starts, although he’s pitched well. Frias has lost three of his last four starts.

Expect changes to the Dodgers lineup, since it’s a day game and a travel day and Lester’s a lefty. Puig has an open callus on his left hand and is day-to-day.

Lineup:

Today’s #Dodgers lineup vs. Cubs:
Hernandez CF
Rollins SS
Turner 1B
Van Slyke RF
Kendrick 2B
Guerrero LF
Callaspo 3B
Ellis C
Frias P

Jun 20

Game 69, 2015

Giants at Dodgers, 4:15PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN

The Giants have won 8 of the 10 games between the two teams so far this season. They’ll ask Tim Hudson, 4-6 with a 4.65 ERA, to keep the mastery going. The Dodgers are hoping their bats will come alive and they’re hoping that Carlos Frias, 4-4 with a 4.14 ERA, can stop the Giants.

Lineup when available.

Jun 15

Game 64, 2015

Dodgers at Rangers, 5:05PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSW

Carlos Frias goes for the Dodgers while Yovani Gallardo goes for the Rangers. Frias is 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA and has had three quality starts in a row. Gallardo is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA but 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last five starts.

In case you’re wondering (I was), Rangers Ballpark in Arlington got a new name as of last season, when an insurance company paid $5 million a year for the rights to call the place Globe Life Park.

Lineup:

Hmm. A-Gon gets a day off from fielding and Callaspo is at 3rd base. Guerrero seems to be Mattingly’s go-to pinch-hitter these days, which suits me but probably not Alex.

Jun 09

Game 59, 2015

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

The D-Backs send out LHP Robbie Ray, who’s 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings in his second partial season in the big leagues. He’s thrown a lot of pitches in each of his two starts, which is why he’s gone no longer than six innings in either of them. He’ll face the Dodgers’ Carlos Frias, who’s 4-3 with a 4.25 ERA. He’d been perking along with an under-2.50 ERA until a disastrous start against the Padres on May 24 when he gave up 10 earned runs in 4 innings.

Here’s a list of the Dodgers’ first ten draft picks. Begin your wild speculations now.

Lineup:

Joc Pederson sits down for the first time this season. Ethier sits because Ray is a lefty. Turner probably sits because he hit a ball hard off his knee in last night’s game.

Jun 04

Game 54, 2015

Cardinals at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

It’s a pitching rematch of last Saturday’s game featuring the Cards’ Michael Wacha versus the Dodgers’ Carlos Frias. Frias won the first game 5-1, going seven innings and giving up just that (unearned) run. Wacha gave up just three hits but four earned runs, including a three-run homer to Yasmani Grandal in the sixth which chased him. It was Wacha’s only loss of the season so far: he’s 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA. Frias is 4-2 with a 4.29 ERA.

Regarding Kenley Jansen’s non-appearance in last night’s ninth inning, Mattingly said repeatedly “he just wasn’t available.”

Update:

I think Vassegh co-hosts Dodger Talk on AM570 radio in LA.

Lineup:

May 30

Game 48, 2015

Dodgers at Cardinals, 4:15PM PT, TV: Fox

The Dodgers hope Carlos Frias does better today than he did in his last appearance when he gave up 10 runs to the Padres in just four innings. He’s 3-2 with a 5.34 ERA after that game, which pushed his ERA up from a very good 2.55. He’ll face Michael Wacha, who has emerged as St. Louis’s new ace in Adam Wainwright’s absence. Wacha is 7-0 with a 1.87 ERA.

Lineup:


Note that Grandal has returned from OKC (Heisey was sent back) and Van Slyke’s back has seemingly healed enough for him to play. Also note that Rollins has been dropped to 8th in the order and Turner is now hitting second.