Editorials

Preview: Dodgers Look To Avoid Sweep, Possibly Clinch NL West In Colorado

John Minchillo-AP Photo
John Minchillo-AP Photo

After losing the first two games of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to avoid the sweep in Colorado against the Rockies Sunday afternoon. A Dodgers win and San Francisco Giants loss in Oakland against the Athletics will secure Los Angeles its third straight National League West title before they travel to San Francisco for a four-game series beginning Monday.

Left-hander Alex Wood gets the ball Sunday for the Dodgers. Wood is 11-11 with a 3.60 ERA on the season. If he can get a win, the 24 year old will set a new career high in wins with 12. Wood has thrown well in his last two starts, giving up two runs in 14.1 innings wand striking out 11.



He’s 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA in four career starts against the Rockies, but has never won at Coors Field, posting an 11.12 ERA in two starts there. The Rockies also send a left-hander to the mound in Chris Rusin.

On the season the 28 year old is 5-9 with a 5.39 ERA is 22 games (20 starts). Rusin is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers with the last coming Sept. 15 when he gave up three earned runs in six innings.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is swinging a hot bat in the series. He is 5-for-8 with two home runs, including a walk-off homer in Saturday’s game, and three RBIs. He’s batting .383 in his career against the Dodgers at Coors Field, and has a career-high 39 home runs this season.

Justin Ruggiano once again leads off for the Dodgers against the lefty Rusin. Since being traded to the Dodgers, Ruggiano is batting .341/.383/.682 with thee home runs and 11 RBIs.

Rookie Corey Seager is not in the starting lineup for the third time in the last four games. Jimmy Rollins starts at shortstop and bats second while Alex Guerrero starts at third. Additionally, Adrian Gonzalez gets another game off as planned due to a back/pinched nerve issue.

Dodgers Lineup:

LF: Justin Ruggiano

SS: Jimmy Rollins

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Scott Van Slyke

C: A.J. Ellis

3B: Alex Guerrero

RF: Chris Heisey

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Alex Wood

Rockies Lineup:

CF: Charlie Blackmon

2B: D.J. Lemahieu

3B: Nolan Arenado

RF: Carlos Gonzalez

1B: Wilin Rosario

LF: Corey Dickerson

SS: Cristhian Adames

C: Tom Murphy

P: Chris Rusin

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Staff Writer

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