Preview: Dodgers Ride Hot Bats Into Denver To Face Rockies

Riding a wave powered by the longball, the Los Angeles Dodgers headed to the Mile High city for the first time this season to face the Colorado Rockies in the first of a three-game series. It wasn’t without issue however, as inclement weather forced first pitch to be delayed one hour.

The Dodgers (18-10), who lead the Majors with 47 home runs, are hitting the ball out of the park at an unusual pace. Two Dodgers of note heading into play Friday are Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal.

Pederson’s nine home runs is tied with Adrian Gonzalez for the team lead, and Grandal is coming off a game in which he hit two three-run home runs and tallied eight RBIs against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Brett Anderson gets the start for the Dodgers and faces his former team for the first time. Anderson was stellar in his last outing at Dodger Stadium, holding the Arizona Diamondbacks scoreless over six innings and punching out four. He enters the game with a 1-1 record and a 4.21 ERA, though his form has been better as of late.

During an injury-shorten season with the Rockies in 2014, Anderson made four starts and went 1-2 with a 3.54 ERA, though giving up just one home run. Pitching for the Rockies (11-15) is be Eddie Butler, who is 2-2 this season with a 3.81 ERA.

In Butler’s last start against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 19, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed two runs over five innings of work and suffered a loss. Justin Turner replaces Howie Kendrick at second base and bats third in the Dodgers lineup.

Alex Guerrero makes a second consecutive start in left field after switching off with Scott Van Slyke in recent games.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Alex Guerrero

RF: Andre Ethier

3B: Juan Uribe

P: Brett Anderson

Rockies Lineup:

CF: Charlie Blackmon

LF: Corey Dickerson

SS: Troy Tulowitzki

1B: Justin Mourneau

3B: Nolan Arenado

RF: Carlos Gonzalez

C: Nick Hundley

2B: D.J. LeMahieu

P: Eddie Butler

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