Preview: Dodgers Look To Win Rubber Match Against Rockies
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies meet again in a rubber match after playing a 16-inning thriller, or dud, dependent on who you ask, Tuesday night. A Dodgers win on Wednesday will extend their series winning streak to seven, the longest active streak in the Majors.
Pitching for the Dodgers is Alex Wood, who aims to improve his 10-10 regular season record. Wood is looking for redemption for his last outing, where he struggled mightily. He was yanked after just 1.2 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, during which he allowed six earned runs.
Starting for Rockies is Jorge De La Rosa, who earned a win in his last start against the Dodgers on June 2 in Colorado. De La Rosa has a 9-6 record on the year with a 4.28 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. While he’s 2-0 against Los Angeles this year, the Dodgers are batting a National League-best .286 against left-handers against the All-Star break.
Given the marathon of a game played Tuesday, the Dodgers’ lineup more resembles what was seen at Camelback Ranch during the spring. Austin Barnes makes his first Major League start at second base and bats leadoff. Barnes’ time in the Majors has thus far exclusively come at catcher.
Chase Utley slides over to play first base, giving Adrian Gonzalez a night off his feet. Meanwhile Corey Seager remains the starting shortstop, though bats in the cleanup spot for the first time in his young career.
While Andre Ethier isn’t in the lineup, he’s worth keeping an eye on as he’s just one double shy from reaching 300 in his career. In doing so Ethier would join the likes of Steve Garvey (333), Willie Davis (321), and Eric Karros (302) as the only Dodgers with over 300 doubles.
The Dodgers enter Wednesday’s game with a 7.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West. Their magic number to clinch the division is any combination of 11 Dodgers wins and/or Giants losses.
Dodgers Lineup:
2B: Austin Barnes
1B: Chase Utley
LF: Justin Ruggiano
SS: Corey Seager
C: A.J. Ellis
3B: Alex Guerrero
RF: Chris Heisey
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Alex Wood
Rockies Lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Jose Reyes
3B: Nolan Arenado
C: Wilin Rosario
2B: Cristhian Adames
LF: Kyle Parker
1B: Ben Paulsen
RF: Brandon Barnes
P: Jorge De La Rosa
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