Padres at Dodgers, 1:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSD
Hyun-Jin Ryu had a horrid start his last time out. Staked to a five-run lead against Justin Verlander and the Tigers, he promptly gave up that lead and two more runs besides in 2 1/3 innings. That performance was a shock, because he’s been so good this season. He’s lasted at least six innings in 13 of his 17 starts this year, going 9-5 with a 3.65 ERA.
He’ll face Tyson Ross, who’s 7-9 with a 2.93 ERA on the season. He’s gotten no help from his teammates — in four of his five June starts, Ross received just one run of support while he was on the mound and he took the loss in each. Ross is San Diego’s only All-Star Game representative, by the way.
Carl Crawford has been working out in center field, while Justin Turner starts a rehab assignment at Rancho Cucamonga today.
#Dodgers lineup vs. Padres:
Gordon 2B
Crawford LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ethier CF
Uribe 3B
Ellis C
Rojas SS
Ryu P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2014
Far be it from me to suggest that Hyun-Jin Ryu is consistent, but look at this:
Hyun-jin Ryu at the All-Star break: 2013: 18 GS, 107 H, 42 R, 40 ER, 93 K 2014: 18 GS, 108 H, 43 R, 40 ER, 93 K— Eric Stephen (@truebluela)
Kenley is tied for third in the NL saves race with 27, behind Kimbrel of the Braves (29) and Rosenthal of the Cards (28).
Kenley seems to make things interesting each time out lately. Could be a bit rusty from not much recent action.
Jon recently noted that he’d thrown 8 pitches in July. Great what the starters have done/are doing, but the downside can be a rusty pen.
But then it’s a good thing that some in the pen haven’t pitched much.
He was more than good enough. He’s been a little unlucky at times, but hardly ineffective. As good as Kimbrel, in my opinion.
Not down on Kenley at all. “Interesting,” not “ineffective.” ;=]) And, yes, unlucky.
Kenley has a FIP of 1.87, which compares well with previous years. His unluckiness is seen in Babip of .395, and .429 in last three appearances.
I’d like to have scored a few more runs going into the All-Star break, but hey, a one-game lead in the standings after where we spent most of April and May? I’ll take it.
Best record in the NL works for me, though I expect it to get better.
Seems Kemp sees quite a few called third strikes lately. Maybe in those situations, especially with RISP, he should protect the plate better?
Matt has lost his batting eye, it appears. How could he let that third strike go by?
Hope I’m wrong, but don’t have a good feeling about Ryu being pulled. 92 pitches, working on 2-hit shutout. Should have been good for at least one more IP, unless there’s some reason to yank him that’s not obvious.
His high pitch count in a single game this season is 112, so I suspect Mattingly was making a precautionary move.
The Giants have hit two grand slams today (Posey and Bumgarner), pretty much guaranteeing themselves a win, so the Dodgers need to win to stay a game up.
Well, there’s the Dodger run for the game. Now shut ’em down…
Gameday has had Ryu as much as 94, some 93s. With a long break coming no reason not to let it loose, I suppose.
Appears Ryu took his results last time out somewhat personally.
10 batters faced, 9 first-pitch strikes. I’d say he’s focused.
Carl doesn’t have the arm for CF, but I guess in a pinch.
Beneficiary of a transplant from the retired Juan Pierre.
Saw some buzz about DM encouraging him to take fly balls there. Not hard to figure what that may lead to. Think he has played some CF before. Also, given his speed he might be able to get to some balls Ethier and SVS couldn’t.
Maybe Gordon could go into shallow CF and be CC’s personal cutoff/relay man to help out the arm issue. ;-])
He hasn’t played CF since his rookie season, I think I read. His range might be better than any of the other guys’, though.
Gordon in shallow CF! Recall that Dee was himself getting work in CF in ST as part of his presumed role as a ultility player. Hard to imagine putting our All Star secondbaseman out there at this point. Looking forward we will have Guerrero and Pedersen in the mix to sort out. Having Crawford in any sort of regular CF rotation would be strange because both he and Dre are lefthanded.