The Dodgers (66-48) bounced back from a loss in the series opener against the Cardinals (57-58) with an impressive 12-6 victory last night. Chad’s recap covered the offensive performance in detail, featuring great nights from Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez.
After yesterday’s frustrating affair, the Dodgers thankfully finally took that out on the opposition, destroying Cardinals pitching for 17 hits and 12 runs. They started well and piled on late for a rare comfortable laugher of a win, and Emmet Sheehan also looked solid in a 12-6 victory to even the series.
Today Shohei Ohtani makes his eighth start of the year with the goal of completing four innings. The left-handed Matthew Liberatore looks to avoid a series loss for St. Louis against (maybe, hopefully?) a Dodger offense that has turned the corner.
1:10 P.M.
Los Angeles
2B
Donovan (L)
DH
Ohtani (L)
DH
Herrera
SS
Betts
1B
Burleson (L)
C
Smith
LF
Nootbaar (L)
1B
Freeman (L)
SS
Winn
RF
T. Hernández
3B
Gorman (L)
CF
Pages
RF
Walker
2B
Rojas
C
Pagés
LF
Call
CF
Scott II (L)
3B
Freeland (S)
P
Liberatore (L)
P
Ohtani (R)
For as great as Muncy has been since receiving his prescription glasses, he’s still struggled against left-handed pitching this year, with just a .499 OPS against them. The Dodgers will look to keep him healthy and in form by giving him the day off today, while Alex Freeland moves to third base. Miguel Rojas will get the start at second base, and Alex Call goes to left field with Michael Conforto sitting against Liberatore. Will Smith is back behind the plate as Dalton Rushing goes to the bench.
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In Ohtani’s previous start, he was expected to go four innings against the Cincinnati Reds, but the heat and humidity limited his start to just three innings after suffering lower-body cramping. He remained in the game as the designated hitter and is making his start today on schedule. He’s now logged a total of 15.0 innings, and has a 2.40 ERA, 2.71 FIP, and a 1.27 WHIP, with 17 strikeouts to 5 walks.
The 25 year-old Liberatore has had a solid year year for St. Louis, with a 3.96 ERA, 3.59 FIP, and a 1.28 WHIP over 109.0 innings. His last time out he allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks with one strikeout over 4.1 innings against the Padres. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts, with a six earned run outing in the middle of that stretch. He throws six pitches with regularity, featuring a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, slider, curve, and changeup, sitting in the low-to-mid 90’s with his three fastballs.
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In other news,
When Mookie Betts is at his best, he’s a tough out and a threat in every situation. Hopefully we see that version again soon.
Getting a rested Tanner Scott could do wonders for him and the team.
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First pitch is at 1:10 PT on SNLA and MLB Network.
