Preview: Mike Bolsinger Looks To Bounce Back As Dodgers Begin Road Trip

The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a seven-game road trip Friday night in Colorado as they near the clinching of the National League West division for the third consecutive season. Following Thursday’s win and a San Francisco Giants loss, the Dodgers lowered their magic number to three games.

Mike Bolsinger gets the nod for the Dodgers as he looks to return to his early-season form. Before being sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bolsinger was 5-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 16 starts. However, since being promoted back to the majors, the 27 year old said he feels like a completely different pitcher, and his numbers supports his opinion.

In his last three starts, Bolsinger is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA. Friday marks his second start at Coors Field this season and third time facing the Rockies overall in 2015. On May 17 the right-hander threw six scoreless innings in which he struck out six batters and walked two.

However, he then struggled in his visit to the Mile High city on June 3, throwing five innings while allowing four runs on six hits. The Rockies counter with David Hale.

The right-hander has been used as both a starter and reliever for the last-place Rockies this season. Overall Hale is 4-5 with a 6.32 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He takes the mound for his first start since Aug. 23, when he allowed four runs on six hits over six innings.

Hale’s lone start against the Dodgers came on June 2 at home. The 27 year old fired six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. The damage was all done via the long ball as three Dodgers hit home runs off Hale.

With a right-hander on the mound Dodgers manager Don Mattingly goes with a heavy left-handed lineup. Excluding pitcher Bolsinger, Howie Kendrick is the lone starter who bats right-handed. Corey Seager gets a second consecutive game off as Chase Utley starts at third base and again bats leadoff.

Meanwhile Jimmy Rollins makes a third straight start since returning from a sprained right index finger.

Dodgers Lineup:

3B: Chase Utley

SS: Jimmy Rollins

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

RF: Andre Ethier

LF: Carl Crawford

C: Yasmani Grandal

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Mike Bolsinger

Rockies Lineup:

CF: Charlie Blackmon

SS: Cristhian Adames

RF: Carlos Gonzalez

3B: Nolan Arenado

LF: Corey Dickerson

1B: Justin Morneau

C: Tom Murphy

2B: Rafael Ynoa

P: David Hale