Dodgers to Face Houston Astros without Justin Verlander
The Dodgers’ quest for vengeance with the Astros might have just got a little less fun. Originally set to be a game two matchup of Kershaw and Verlander, it now looks like it will be two completely different guys.
It was reported on Sunday afternoon that Justin Verlander might have to miss the entire season due to an elbow issue. The Dodgers were supposed to face off against him in game two of the short series. Instead, it appears as though they will have to face an alternate in his stead.
Dusty Baker said that Justin Verlander has a forearm strain and will be shut down for a couple of weeks and then will be re-evaluated.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 26, 2020
Things got a little bit more interesting when Justin Verlander tweeted that he was NOT out for the season. He insisted that he only had a forearm strain and that the team was still evaluating. Manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Verlander will be shut down for a couple of weeks. Whatever the case, the Dodgers will instead face an alternate after likely facing Frambler Valdez on Tuesday.
For the Dodgers, they are set to throw Walker Buehler on Tuesday followed by Dustin May on Wednesday. Clayton Kershaw is still sidelined with a sore back after being placed on the Injured List on Opening Day.
Given the recent history between the two teams, it is admittedly disappointing to have four guys starting that were not involved in the 2017 World Series. As of now, it’s lining up to play out that way. Regardless, it should be a great series for both sides.
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The only question I have is when they face off again, later in the year, at Chavez, will the Dodgers make banging trash cans part of the crowd “noise?” They should. They really, really should.
Dodgers can’t take the searies against a rebuilding Giants team.
Even with Mookie it’s the same old story. Looking completely flat with no energy in a series finale they needed to win especially in a short season. Just the looks on them they were completely defeated long before the game ended and took terrible AB’s. Is Betts going to light a fire under them like he did in spring?