Series Preview: Ferguson and Maeda Make Starts vs. Rangers

The Dodgers look to continue their recent success with an interleague matchup as the Texas Rangers come to Chavez Ravine. The last place Rangers come into Los Angeles coming off a four game sweep, losing to the Houston Astros.

Pitching Probables

Dave Roberts reveals Caleb Ferguson as the @Dodgers starter for tomorrow's game against the Rangers

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Full interview w/ @THEREAL_DV: https://t.co/z2VoBvUMHy pic.twitter.com/Gq6sJu2euc

— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) June 12, 2018

Tuesday, June 12, 7:10 PM PT

Bartolo Colón (3-3, 3.16 ERA) vs Caleb Ferguson (0-0, 21.60)

The Rangers are throwing out 45-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colón to open the series. The 21-year-old veteran has been an innings eater for Texas, throwing at least five innings in 10 out of his 11 starts. The long ball has hurt Colón, as the righty has allowed 16 home runs this season.

Back when Colón made his debut, the Dodgers starter, Caleb Ferguson, was nine months old. In his last start, Ferguson made his Major League debut, allowing four runs in 1 ? innings against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. He struggled with his command as he walked three batters and hit two more in his outing.

Wednesday, June 13, 7:10 PM PT

Cole Hamels (3-6, 3.86 ERA) vs. Kenta Maeda (4-4, 3.61 ERA)

The Rangers will throw out another veteran for this series as 13-year Major Leaguer Cole Hamels takes the hill on Wednesday. The 34-year-old southpaw may be pitching one of his last starts with the Rangers. Hamels has expressed interest in wanting to play for a contending team and has been linked to teams like the Dodgers and the Yankees in recent weeks. Like Colón, Hamels has been susceptible to the long ball, allowing 17 home runs, which ranks second in all of baseball.

Kenta Maeda projects to pitch the the series finale for the Dodgers. He has not pitched since May 29 due to a right hip strain. In his last three starts before his injury, Maeda posted a 1.10 ERA.

Rangers Player To Watch: Jurickson Profar

There was a time when Jurickson Profar was the top prospect in all of baseball and was rumored in a trade for Giancarlo Stanton. Profar has not quite lived up to his expectations but he has produced over his last few games. Despite going hitless in five at-bat his last game, he still hit .273 with three home runs last week.

Jurickson Profar's last four plate appearances:

Home run.

Walk.

Home run.

Home run.#TexasRangers pic.twitter.com/x4Y9REE2FV

— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) June 7, 2018

Dodgers Player To Watch: Max Muncy

In his breakout season, Max Muncy is leading the Dodgers in OPS at 1.011 and is tied for the lead in home runs with 12. He is carrying a hot stick, slugging a home run in each game of this last series against the Braves. Muncy is hitting .435 with five home runs since June 3.

Max Muncy hit 12 homers last year in 109 games at Triple-A. He has 12 homers in 44 big-league games this year.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 10, 2018

Analysis

Starting pitching will be the key to this series with Caleb Ferguson and Kenta Maeda returning to the mound for the Dodgers. Although the team remains without Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu, they finally have a five man rotation. Playing a rebuilding team, the Dodgers should continue their hot run as they have not lost a series in nearly a month.