Hyun-Jin Ryu Gets The Start For Game 1 Against The Rockies

MLB Network will be providing coverage for the final series taking place in Denver Friday night between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.

These two teams’ records display a distinct difference in regards to respective overall records and eventual playoff seeding’s, but both clubhouses are still figuring things out before their last regular season matchup ends Sunday afternoon.

The Rockies are projected to earn the second Wild Card spot, but they’ll be targeting offensive production against Dodgers starter Hyun-jin Ryu. Colorado’s batting order is loaded with the likes of DJ LeMahieu, Jonathan Lucroy, Mark Reynolds, Carlos Gonzalez and MVP candidates Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon. Many of them have hit well against Ryu, too. In the last five years against Ryu, Gonzalez is hitting .417, Arenado is hitting .571, and Blackmon is hitting .316.

Luckily, some Dodgers have done well against Chad Bettis in the last five years as well, including Justin Turner (.583), Yasmani Grandal (.364), and Yasiel Puig (.500).

On the other hand, LA will be making sure that the batting order and primary position players get some reps before the NLDS begins next Friday. Dave Roberts hasn’t made clear what Ryu’s role will be during the postseason, so a good start will be vital for him to prove his worth. Also, this will be the bullpen’s last chance to compete for spots on the 25-man roster.

This weekend is also another opportunity for both ball-clubs to do more than just evaluate the current status of their own clubhouses. It’s a last-minute scouting report scenario, just in case Colorado makes the Wild Card elimination game and gets past the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Rockies are currently 7-8 against the Dodgers this season, and swept them 4-0 during the last series at Dodger Stadium in early September. Dodgers players certainly aren’t forgetting about those reminders, so look for LA’s batting order to come out aggressively early on against fourth-year starter Chad Bettis. Dodgers batters have recently regained their swagger back, and have been explosive against opposing arms right before the postseason.

Los Angeles shouldn’t come in bored or desperate to prove a point, so expect them to handle business the next three days.