The Brett Anderson experiment panned out yesterday for the Dodgers thanks to the theatrics of Yasmani Grandal. Another injury riddled pitcher takes the mound tonight in Scott Kazmir as will put his claim on the battle for the Number #4 starter. The Dodgers will be going for their third win a row and will try to lower their magic number. Tonight will be a special night indeed.
Pregame Scully ceremony will start at 6:30pm, televised by SportsNet LA & KTLA, online at https://t.co/v41DGSJOvS, radio on 570 AM https://t.co/YI1scY0Pwc
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 23, 2016
Game time 710 pm SNLA
Dodgers Lineup:
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Grandal C
Reddick RF
Toles LF
Pederson CF
Kazmir P
Kazmir 10-6 4.59 ERA will pitch for the first time since Aug. 22 at Cincinnati, where he allowed four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings. This year vs. Colorado, he is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA.
The Colorado Rockies will go with a guy who has a hitch in his delivery and has given the Dodgers some issues this season. Jon Gray 10-8 4.42 ERA, he is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers, including a 2-1 mark and a 3.27 ERA in four starts this year.
Rockies Lineup:
Blackmon CF
LeMahieu 2B
Arenado 3B
Gonzalez RF
Raburn LF
Murphy C
Cardullo 1B
Adames SS
Gray P
This is how the Dodgers have fared against Gray this season.
| BATTER | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Andre Ethier | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | .308 | .357 | .538 | .896 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .125 | .273 | .125 | .398 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Howie Kendrick | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .000 | .300 | .000 | .300 |
| Joc Pederson | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .111 | .200 | .111 | .311 |
| Yasiel Puig | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .400 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 |
| Josh Reddick | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| Corey Seager | 9 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .556 | .692 | 1.000 | 1.692 |
| Rob Segedin | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 |
| Trayce Thompson | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | 1.333 | 1.667 |
| Justin Turner | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .364 | .364 | .545 | .909 |
| Chase Utley | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .286 | .486 |
| Scott Van Slyke | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 |
| Totals | 90 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 28 | .278 | .371 | .444 | .816 |
Based on this information Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner, and Yasiel Puig have been able to handle Gray. Puig is not in the lineup tonight. Perhaps he will pinch hit at some point. The Dodgers are hoping to clinch the NL West at home this weekend. So how have the Rockies done against Kazmir.
| BATTER | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Cristhian Adames | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.500 |
| Nolan Arenado | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .400 | .400 | 1.000 | 1.400 |
| Charlie Blackmon | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 |
| Carlos Gonzalez | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Nick Hundley | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| DJ LeMahieu | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .500 | .833 |
| Gerardo Parra | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
| Ryan Raburn | 21 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | .190 | .227 | .476 | .703 |
| Mark Reynolds | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 |
| Trevor Story | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 |
| Tony Wolters | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 62 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 20 | .194 | .219 | .387 | .606 |
Kazmir will have to be careful with DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, and Cristhian Adames. Gerardo Parra also has had a lot of success against Kazmir. I’m sure he will come of the bench at some point. Jon Gray has polished fastball command and an improved changeup that has led to his improvement. The Dodgers like to attack fastballs and I’m certain the changeup will be used tonight against them. Scott Kazmir has had command and velocity issues this year. He has had trouble finishing off hitters this year. He has a good defense behind that he needs to utilize and avoid walking Rockies hitters.
The Dodgers are also only 2.5 games back of the Washington Nationals for home field advantage in their NLDS matchup that’s looming. Whispers have abounded that some of the Dodgers players are complaining about playing time.
#Dodgers' Roberts dealing with players' frustrations over playing time. Story:… https://t.co/lfvJVPgssB
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 23, 2016
That nonsense needs to stop. The main goal is winning and so far this season the formula has worked. I do think the Dodgers need more of a set lineup come playoff time though. This Dodgers team has shown a lot of character this season. This postseason could have a different ending for the Dodgers based on becoming a team that has grit and depth. It would be nice to end Vin Scully’s last season on championship note. Just focus on winning and being in a winning culture.
James Moya
Hi I’m James Moya. I am an avid Dodgers fan. I graduated Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelors in Communications. I used to freelance at the San Bernardino Sun. I’m excited about this opportunity to write for LA Dodger Report to gain experience. I’m a straight shooter on my opinions and I hope to get some good conversations going. My dream has always been to report on the Dodgers because Baseball is the National Past-time. I hope you enjoy the ride with me.
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#WinforVin!
They need to close this guy down for the year. I do not trust him as far as I could throw Mark!
Complaining at this time of year? Interesting. I don’t think it would be anyone in the infield as that has been consistent basically all year.
Get used to it boys! Play today, sit tomorrow. Modern baseball!
Ethier and Kendrick seem the most likely, but I have nothing to back other than Vasseigh’s comment about Toles getting more PT.
Hawkeye
I thought maybe Puig too, but it might not be him, because he was already in trouble, so he wouldn’t want to push it.
But Puig sure has a case, just by the way he has played, and hit.
Just read Vinny’s letter to the fans.
It seems what we gotta do, to make it right, is to beat the Giants 18-4 for his last game ….
Where is Badger?
If you read this Badger, I hope all is well.
http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/9/23/13032752/sf-giants-bullpen-aroldis-chapman-kenley-jansen-free-agency
He’s a great writer. His notes on the “unwritten rules” are equally delightful.
Brisbee wrote that Jansen may get $90 million. I have predicted that he would get at least $75 million… maybe $100 million. He’s right – they are going to pay crazy sums to closers. FAZ won’t!
Kazmir has built up his endurance to one full inning.
Well, I’d say he’s done for the year. Ryu’s done. Urias is close.
McCarthy is going to get a crack at it soon.
Otherwise, we’re probably looking at Stripling or Anderson.
They may give Urias a start in the post season.
I don’t think he will make the roster.
Joc and Ethier!
Ethier has got a double and HR way before Reddick did too.
I am not a fan of Anderson. The Dodgers need a fourth starter. Anderson will probably be given one more start. If he does well, they will give it to him. They will go with experience. If not, then you are looking at Stripling or Stewart. I do not think it will be De Leon. Kasmir is out of the picture. I also do not think it will be Urias.
Just read that McCarthy is slated to start tomorrow. The entire trinity going against the Rox. (Includes Anderson and Kazmir.) Yet, Dodgers won yesterday and look like they will win again today.
Maybe they ARE the team of destiny this year.
They win in spite of starting pitching and not because of it.
I know you don’t want to get thrown out running the bases when you are behind on the scoreboard but Cargo should be at 3B. Jogged into 2B.