Monthly Archives: August 2014

Aug 19

Game 127, 2014

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Padres at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSD

Kevin Correia gets the start for the Dodgers. He’s faced the Padres twice already this season, even though he pitched for the Twins of the AL before his acquisition. In May he went six innings against them, striking out six, walking one, and giving up three earned runs. In August he also went six innings, struck out three, walked one, and again gave up three earned runs. In his first start for the Dodgers last Monday he threw six innings of one-run ball with just four hits and one walk allowed with five strikeouts and beat the Braves. Correia is 6-13 on the season with a 4.79 ERA. He had a horrible April, ending the month with a 7.33 ERA. It’s been dropping every month thereafter.

Ian Kennedy will go for the Padres. He’s 9-10 with a 3.54 ERA. This will be his fourth start since missing a turn due to a minor oblique injury; the previous three he went five, six and six innings and gave up no more than three earned runs in any of those games.

Hanley Ramirez is expected to come off the DL on Sunday, the moment the 15 day period is up. We get to see Erisbel Arruebarrena at short tonight. He’s been in eight previous games at the big league level, getting five hits in sixteen ABs and playing error-free ball.

Aug 17

Game 126, 2014

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

It’ll be Dan Haren for the Dodgers and Wily Peralta for the Brew Crew. Peralta is 14-7 with a 3.46 ERA. This will be his second try at win number fifteen. Haren is 10-9 with a 4.50 ERA, but has won his last two after a five-game losing streak.

In Uribe’s absence the Dodgers might try Hanley Ramirez there, leaving Rojas at shortstop. Of course they give Barney the start at short today. Ramirez took some grounders at third on Saturday.

Lineup:

Aug 16

Game 125, 2014

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Brewers at Dodgers, 6:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN

Clayton Kershaw brings his 14-2, 1.78 ERA record to the hill to face Yovani Gallardo and his 7-6, 3.44 ERA record. Gallardo hasn’t pitched against the Dodgers this year. In his career he’s had seven starts and sports (?) a 5.98 ERA against them.

Hyun-Jin Ryu went on the DL with a Grade 1-2 strain in his hip. Kevin Correia will start in Ryu’s place on Tuesday against the Padres. Additionally, “the Dodgers acquired right-hander Justin Germano from the Rangers for future considerations on Friday. The Dodgers assigned German to Triple-A Albuquerque.”

Germano is a 31-year-old journeyman who’s pitched 7 innings in the big leagues in the last two years, spending most of his time in AAA Buffalo and Round Rock, where he was primarily a starter.

Update: Via ESPN: “Uribe is the seventh different Dodgers player to have gone on the DL this month, including Ramirez and pitchers Josh Beckett, Ryu, Paul Maholm, Chris Perez and Paco Rodriguez.”

Lineup when available.

Aug 15

Game 124, 2014

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

These two teams faced each other last weekend in Milwaukee and the home team won two of three, including one against Zack Greinke, tonight’s starter for the Dodgers. In that game he threw six innings, gave up four earned runs on eight hits, and continued a rather unhappy streak: In seven starts against his former teams (Brewers, Angels, Royals) he’s lost them all. However, he’s still 12-8 with a 2.84 ERA this season.

The Brewers send out Jimmy Nelson, who also pitched in last weekend’s series. He went six innings, giving up eight hits and two runs while losing to Kershaw on Sunday. Overall he’s 2-3 with a 4.00 ERA this year.

Hanley Ramirez isn’t swinging a bat yet, but he has done a little throwing. The Brewers’ Ryan Braun has a nerve problem in a hand, but he expects to play tonight. Another note: it’s hard to believe, but the Brewers’ K-Rod (Francisco Rodriguez) needs one save to tie Rollie Fingers at No. 11 on the all-time saves list with 341. Man, it seems like only a couple of years ago he was a 20-year-old kid pitching for the Angels in the 2002 World Series.

Lineup when available.

Aug 14

Game 123, 2014

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: