Editorials

Preview: Alex Wood Looks To Salvage Series For Dodgers

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell for the second straight game to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday and now must shift their attention to the finale on Sunday, with an opportunity to end their six-game road trip at .500.

Making his second start for the Dodgers is Alex Wood. On the season, the southpaw is 7-7, with a 3.65 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. The 24-year-old has an FIP of 1.52, an ERA+ of 69, and a .288 opponent’s batting average. In his first start as a Dodger, Wood did not produce the results he would have liked to have seen. In 6.1 innings pitched, the pitcher allowed eight hits, two walks, and four earned runs in a loss. On a positive note, Wood did strikeout eight batters, which is the highest total Wood has had in any of his last 10 starts. The North Carolina native gets an opportunity to move on past the loss against a team he is very familiar with.



During his career with the Atlanta Braves, Wood faced the Pirates five times (four starts). In those games, Wood is 1-2, with a 2.57 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Wood’s numbers do put forth some signs of success against the Pirates, as he has racked up 26 strikeouts in just 28 innings pitched, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.20. Perhaps the biggest giveaway of Wood being confident coming into this start was his last start against the Pirates, which was also at PNC Park. On June 28, the third-year player threw 7.1 shutout innings, where he allowed only five hits, no walks, and struck out eight.

Taking the hill for the Pirates is Charlie Morton. On the season, the right-handed pitcher is 7-4, with a 4.19 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The 31-year-old is coming off an impressive start against the Cincinnati Reds where he pitched 7.0 innings of shutout ball, only allowing fives hits and not allowing a walk in a victory. Coming into the game, the pitcher has a FIP of 4.20, an ERA+ of 88, and a .253 opponent’s batting average.

In his seven-year career, the New Jersey native faced the Dodgers once, back in 2010. In the start, Morton went six innings, allowing six runs and two walks in a loss. Also in the game, he surrendered two home runs.

There are a few Dodger players that have had success against Morton in the past. In the 2010 start, Andre Ethier collected one of the home runs in the game to go along with two RBIs. Jimmy Rollins is also 2-for-6 in his career against Morton.

The game was recently picked up by ESPN and Sunday Night Baseball, meaning that all fans can watch the game slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. PT.

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

RF: Andre Ethier

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Carl Crawford

3B: Alberto Callaspo

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Alex Wood

Pirates Lineup:

RF: Gregory Polanco

LF: Starling Marte

CF: Andrew McCutchen

3B: Aramis Ramirez

SS: Jung Ho Kang

1B: Michael Morse

C: Francisco Cervelli

2B: Neil Walker

P: Charlie Morton

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3 Comments

  1. Well to Ronnie and Michael and some other guys and girls that comment here. So Far I have been wrong. I was impressed with the dealings of the FO at the trade deadline. The numbers of the players involved led me to believe these guys hit a HR with very little given up accept money, which they have. I must say the last two games of Alex Wood and the the pitching prowess of Mr Johnson or lack there of has me depressed. Wood was unlucky the first start but just not good this second and the BP has been incredibly bad. These guys cannot pick pitchers. So far they have McCarthy, Anderson, Hatcher, Nicasio, Peralta and Liberatore. And now Latos, Wood, Johnson and Avilian the only really good pitcher they picked up in a trade Heaney they traded to the Angels for Kendrick. Anderson thankfully has beeen very solid but other than that Lord what a mess. You have to be able to hold a 3 run lead with 3 innings to play. Hell you have to hold a one run lead with 3 innings to play. The BP allowed 10 Freaking Runs….Just today They lost every game in the Pirate series….
    Well as I have beeen saying this FO and Ownership are building for the Future. With this BP they are not going to win enough games to win a Playoff series. So wait till next year.
    And Kendrick is down withh a Hammy. And Pederson cannot hit a hanging sinker over the plate. They should send him down to get his head straight. He is just lunging at balls. He cannot hit a curve to save his soul, of course right now neither can Crawford. What horrible at bats. Not good.

    1. It’s depressing to watch…I’m having a hard time believing it can stay this bad though. Maybe they tough it out and turn things around soon. I sure hope so.

      1. Blue Thanks I think we all need to attempt to have some positive vibes. This Front Office obviously cannot assess pitchers. Wow what a mess. From Hatcher to Peralta, Nicasio and attempting to use Huff and Columbe. Latos and Wood, Johnson and Avilian what a mess. They are bringing up Garcia and he had a 7 plus ERA in Okie City. Don’t they have ANY arms in AA or AAA that are worth a damn?

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