Series Preview: Dodgers Look to Cut Standings Deficit vs. Rockies
This weekend, the Dodgers head to the Mile High City to face the first place Colorado Rockies. This series marks the second time this season that these two teams face each other. They played each other between May 21-23, as the Dodgers took home the win in two out of the three games at Dodgers Stadium.
Pitching Probables:
June 1: (5:40 PM PT)
TBA vs Tyler Anderson (3-1, 4.72 ERA)
The Dodgers have not yet announced their starting pitcher to open the series but expect that Dennis Santana will be taking the hill at some point. This would mark Santana’s Major League debut as he posted a 2.54 in 10 starts between double-a and triple-a this season. It is likely Santana will be joined by a few other relievers in a bullpen effort game.
Tyler Anderson is making his eighth career start against the Dodgers as he has a career ERA of 4.30 against them. Although he plays in the most hitter friendly ballpark in the league, Anderson pitches better at home
June 2: (4:15 PM PT)
Walker Buehler (3-1, 2.20 ERA) vs German Marquez (4-5, 4.21 ERA)
Walker Buehler is making the start against the team he faced in his Major League debut. He has already faced them in five different games. The last time he faced them, he pitched well despite taking the no-decision, allowing only one run in seven innings.
During that game earlier this year, Buehler matched up against German Marquez. Marquez took home the victory for the Rockies as he also allowed one run in seven innings. He has also pitched well recently, with an ERA under 2.00 in his last three starts.
June 3: (12:10 PM PT)
Alex Wood (1-4, 3.75 ERA) vs Chad Bettis (4-1, 3.68 ERA)
Alex Wood’s record does not accurately depict the season he has had in 2018. He has only had three games this season where he allowed more than three runs. One place of struggle for Wood is his longevity in games, as he has not thrown more than six innings since his first start of the year.
Chad Bettis comes into the series trying to get back into his groove. Through his first seven starts, his ERA was 2.05. His ERA over his last fours starts in close to 7.00
Rockies Players to Watch: Gerardo Parra
While Nolan Arenado is the only Rockies player batting above .300, the one player that consistently finds a way to beat the Dodgers is Gerardo Parra. He is not a major threat but he is a scrappy player on both sides of the field. His seven home runs and 45 RBI against the Dodgers are more than any other team in his career.
Why is Gerardo Parra play more like Mickey Mantle against the Dodgers?
— Mike (@dodgerfanalways) May 24, 2018
Dodgers Player to Watch: Matt Kemp
The one consistent offensive threat for the Dodger all year has been Matt Kemp. He is the only Dodger batting above .300 and his .343 batting average leads the league as his 30 RBI leads the team. In his career 164 career games against the Rockies, he is batting .317 with 42 home runs and 144 RBI. At Coors Field alone, he has gone deep 19 times with a .337 batting average.
Matt Kemp continues to be hot behind the plate as he takes over the NL batting race. Kemp has a .345 batting avg which leads the National league, he also has 7HR & 30 RBI's this yr with a .926 OPS. Kemp went 2-4 in the win, driving in 4 RBI's & a HR #Kemp #Dodgers #MLB
— Sports-Hop (@sportshopmedia) May 31, 2018
Analysis
Trailing the Rockies by only four games, the Dodgers can cut the standings deficit to one game with a sweep in the Mile High City. Obviously, that will be a challenge but the Dodgers have proven that they can beat teams with records above .500. They won 10 of their last 14 games to finish the month of May and they look to continue that success in June.