Jul 01

Game 80, 2015

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

The Dodgers send Brett Anderson (4-4, 3.13 ERA) out for his third start against the D-Backs this season. On May 3 he pitched five scoreless innings against them, while June 10 he was tagged for four earned runs in five innings.

The D-Backs send Robbie Ray (2-3, 1.98 ERA) out for his second turn against the Dodgers. On June 9 he went 6 2/3 innings against them, gave up two runs on four hits and lost the game.

Molly Knight’s new book chronicling the Dodgers’ 2014 season has caused a furor about Yasiel Puig. According to Knight he alienated some of his teammates last season. Knight will point out that Puig takes up only one chapter in the book, but Puig is so polarizing that when advance copies made it to some sports reporters they immediately began pulling out juicy anecdotes about him.

Lineup when available.

Huh. Lefty starter for the other team plus last game of the road trip means heavily right-handed lineup.

Jun 27

Game 76, 2015

Dodgers at Marlins, 1:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

The Dodgers’ lefty Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 3.33 ERA) gets the start against the Marlins’ Tom Koehler (5-4, 3.76 ERA). Kershaw’s last start was a quality one, but all three runs he gave up came on home runs, which he’s given up more often this year than in the past. He may catch a break, though, because Giancarlo Stanton may be sidelined after he hurt his left hand in Friday’s game. Koehler missed his last start with a stiff neck, but his previous one was a good one in which he held the Yankees to one run and three hits over seven innings.

Puig’s torn callus may have healed enough to let him start. It was well enough to let him pinch-hit on Friday and stay in to play the field after that.

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 21

Game 70, 2015

Giants at Dodgers, 5:08PM PT, TV: ESPN

Here we go again. The Giants have already swept two series from the Dodgers this season and they have a chance to do it again today in front of a national audience on ESPN. If they do, they’ll take over first place in the NL West by a half-game.

This is the only Sunday Night Baseball appearance the Dodgers make this year. They have a Wednesday game this week and a Friday game July 3. That’s it on “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.” For a team which was regarded as a lock to win its division and make it to the playoffs that seems a little short-sighted to me.

The Giants will send Tim Lincecum to the mound this afternoon. He’s 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA and is having a nice comeback so far from what have been several poor years following his Cy Young winning seasons of 2008-2009. The Dodgers can take some hope in the fact that Lincecum hasn’t had a quality start in his last five and he’s given up six home runs in those appearances.

The Dodgers counter with Brett Anderson, who’s gotten virtually zip in run support and has a 2-4 record and a 3.43 ERA to show for it. The Dodgers have scored two or fewer runs in 7 of his 13 starts this season. He and Greinke should file a class-action lawsuit against the team’s offense.

Yasiel Puig has owned Lincecum since he came into the league. He’s 10-17 against him with four extra-base hits.

Lineup when available.

Guerrero takes Ethier’s place in left field. Since Lincecum’s right-handed, I guess Mattingly just thinks Ethier needs a day off.

Jun 19

Game 68, 2015

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

The Giants send out Chris Heston, one start removed from a no-hitter on July 9 against the Mets. He’s 6-5 with a 3.76 ERA on the season. He’ll face Mike Bolsinger of the Dodgers, who’s 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA (4-0, 1.01 ERA at home).

Lineup when available.

Joc and Yasiel flipped. Here’s why.

Jun 08

Game 58, 2015

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

Old friend Rubby De La Rosa pitched 61 1/3 innings for the Dodgers in 2011-2012 before being traded to Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford deal. He was traded to the D-Backs last winter and will take the hill for the D-Backs tonight, sporting a record of 4-2 and a 5.09 ERA. He’s had four consecutive no-decisions but has given up four or more runs in four of his last five starts including seven his last time out.

The Dodgers counter with Mike Bolsinger, who’s been a really pleasant surprise. He’s 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA despite giving up four runs in five innings in his last start.

The Dodgers have beaten the D-Backs six consecutive times in Dodger Stadium including a three-game sweep in April.

In other news, MLB’s draft begins today and the D-Backs have the first pick.

Lineup:

Hmm. No Puig. I wonder if there’s anything wrong with him or if they’re just being cautious with the hamstring.

May 09

Game 30, 2015

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN

Clayton Kershaw makes his fourth try to win career number 100 this evening, weather permitting. He’s won six straight against the Rockies and has a 1.62 ERA over those games. He’s 14-5 with a 3.11 ERA in his career against the Rockies and is 7-3 at Coors Field, posting a 4.58 ERA. His opponent will be Jorge De La Rosa, who has 45 lifetime wins at Coors, more than any other pitcher in the history of the stadium. De La Rosa started the year on the DL, however, and he’s 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA after coming off it.

In outfielder news, Yasiel Puig tweaked his hamstring in a rehab game with Rancho Cucamonga Friday night.

Lineup when available.

The weather is not looking good, unless you’re a skier/snowboarder.

Continued rain today will increase the possibility of flash flooding throughout the urban corridor and plains. Residents should be on alert for flooding in their vicinity after heavy rains pass over. The far eastern plains could see severe weather with increased heating. Chances for large hail and tornadoes increase by this afternoon. For the mountains, the snow level will be around 9000ft lowering to 7000ft by this evening. Areas above 9000ft could see 2 to 6 inches by this afternoon with another 4 to 10 inches overnight. Mountain roads will be slushy and snow packed by this evening.

Okay, lineup for today’s game:

The weather is forecast to be in the low 40s with a small chance of rain.

No explanation given for Ethier’s absence in right field, nor for Uribe’s absence at third base. It could just be that the Rockies’ pitcher De La Rosa is a lefty.

Apr 29

Game 21, 2015

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

It will be Zack Greinke v. Ryan Vogelsong in the rubber match of the series. Greinke didn’t pitch in last week’s series against the Giants, while Vogelsong gave up two runs in six innings in the Giants’ 10-inning 3-2 victory. That was the game Kendrick saved with his headlong dive behind second base in the ninth inning only to watch Maxwell single past third base to drive in the winning run in the tenth.

Greinke has been the best pitcher the Dodgers have so far this season, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four starts, all of them quality ones. Vogelsong is 0-1 in four starts with a 7.71 ERA, and righthanded hitters have been particularly troublesome for him, hitting .298 so far this year.

Puig and Crawford are on the DL, but Van Slyke, who’ll probably replace one of them, has a seven-game hitting streak of his own. If Guerrero replaces the other all he’s done is hit five home runs in limited duty.

Lineup when available.

My goodness, what have we here? Joc leading off, Rollins in the two-hole, Uribe in the eight-hole, and something which will cause lots of talk, no Guerrero in the starting lineup.

Apr 26

Game 18, 2015

Dodgers at Padres, 1:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSD

The Dodgers send newly-called-up Scott Baker to the hill. Baker is 2-0 with a 1.93 in two career starts against the Padres. His opponent will be Brandon Morrow. Morrow will be making his first career start against the Dodgers. He ranks fourth in the Majors in strikeouts per nine innings (9.29) since 2010. So far this young season he’s got no decisions in three starts, going 20 innings, giving up 17 hits, walking 5 and striking out 15.

Puig and Peralta may be headed for the disabled list, Puig with the hamstring injury and Peralta with a “dead arm”. McCarthy’s right elbow tightened up on him, which he says has been happening since his last start against the Rockies. He’s got an MRI scheduled for Monday.

Lineup when available.

Apr 25

Game 17, 2015

Dodgers at Padres, 5:40PM PT, TV: MLBN, SPNLA, FSSD

Brandon McCarthy goes for the Dodgers. He’s got a 5-1 lifetime record against the Padres and won his last start. McCarthy has averaged 6 innings per start and has given up 18 hits in 18 innings while striking out 25 and walking only 3. His ERA is 4.50 and falling.

His opponent will be Ian Kennedy, who strained a hamstring in his only start this year and just came off the DL.

Lineup when available.


André in right in place of Puig. I guess that hamstring is hurting him pretty badly.