The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Cincinnati Reds in a closely contested 9-8 game during the series opener on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles will be looking to even the series in Wednesday’s game, which is expected to feature strong offensive performances from both teams. MLB betting sites on BettingDose.com have the Dodgers as -250 favorites on the moneyline while giving the underdog Reds +200 moneyline odds to win.
Noah Syndergaard, the Dodgers’ pitcher, has had a challenging start to the 2023 season. Despite this, the Dodgers’ offense has been invigorated, notably by the performances of Freddie Freeman, who is emerging as a contender for MVP. The team’s hitting prowess will be tested to secure a win in Cincinnati.
The Dodgers have been impressed with the bat, boasting a .276 team batting average over the past 15 days and ranking second in the league in On-base Plus Slugging (OPS). The Reds, however, have also displayed offensive strength during the same period, ranking fourth in OPS.
The Reds have announced that prospect Brandon Williamson will start as a pitcher in Wednesday’s game. Williamson ranked among the top 10 prospects, has had a mixed start to his Major League career. In his first four starts, he recorded a 4.21 ERA. However, his Expected ERA (xERA) stands at 6.30, indicating that he may have benefited from some good fortune.
The Dodgers will debut Jonny DeLuca, who was called up yesterday to replace Trayce Thompson, who was placed on injured Reserve. The Dodgers lineup features Freddie Freeman, who leads the National League in OPS. Freeman’s presence in the lineup and the team’s recent offensive form could challenge the Reds’ pitching.
Conversely, Syndergaard’s performance will be crucial for the Dodgers. He has faced difficulties this season, with a strikeout rate of six batters per nine innings, and has conceded 11 hits per nine innings. His ERA through 11 starts is 6.54.
Jonny DeLuca
There’s more than meets the eye regarding the Los Angeles Dodgers’ newly called-up outfielder, Jonny DeLuca. The young outfielder’s vibrant talent already had the Dodgers eager to bring him aboard, but his initial interaction with Manager Dave Roberts unveiled an intriguing facet of his personality.
DeLuca, sporting an earring looped through his left ear, took Roberts by surprise. Roberts, who once donned a stud earring during his playing days, found the earring to be an unusual sight. However, as Roberts soon learned, an engaging story was tied to that hoop.
DeLuca, drafted in the 25th round by the Dodgers in 2019 from Oregon, had set a personal challenge: if he bagged the Player of the Week accolade, he would pierce his ears. The earring is a testament to his dedication and determination, two traits that have propelled him through the ranks.
Emanating a quintessential Californian aura with his surfer-style locks and easy-going demeanor, DeLuca’s physical prowess and commitment to excellence had his high school coach, Anthony Chevrier, convinced that the young athlete was destined for the big leagues. Standing at an athletic 6 feet, DeLuca’s fluid movements, throwing ability, and adept body control left an impression.
Moreover, DeLuca didn’t limit himself to the baseball diamond. He was also an adept track athlete, effortlessly transitioning between track meets and baseball games, dominating both arenas.
As he climbed the ladder, DeLuca kept his sights on constant improvement. During high school, he trained with Craig Wallenbrock, a highly regarded private hitting instructor. This relationship eventually led him to Doug Latta, another coach known for honing the swings of MLB stars, including Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner.
DeLuca’s fascination with the intricacies of the swing mechanics, and his desire to master them, led him to work closely with Latta. With Latta’s guidance, DeLuca refined his swing to harness the raw power in his lower half, which is strikingly strong for his size. This power, coupled with his solid build, earned him the nickname ‘Quadzilla.’
After giving up switch-hitting and focusing on batting from the right side, DeLuca and Latta streamlined his swing mechanics to unlock his true potential. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return to his hometown of Agoura Hills, where he continued to hone his skills. His old high school coach, Chevrier, witnessed a transformation as DeLuca’s bat began to exude raw power.
His dedication paid dividends, as DeLuca recorded impressive stats in Double-A, prompting his promotion to Triple-A. With the unfortunate injury to Trayce Thompson, DeLuca received the call he had been working towards – his ticket to the big leagues.
On his debut day, DeLuca, now 24, found himself in the Dodgers’ locker room with his very own nameplate. A whirlwind of emotions enveloped him as he reflected on the days when, as a teenager, he would drive to the Dodger Stadium to witness Clayton Kershaw’s early triumphs. As fate would have it, Kershaw was the first teammate he greeted.
“It was pretty cool,” DeLuca said. “Growing up, watching Dodger games, being a fan, obviously pretty special.”
While DeLuca’s role on the team may initially be confined to specific matchups, his agility, strength, and determination might make him an invaluable asset to the Dodgers in the days to come. And as he steps onto the field, his earring will sway – a reminder of the commitment and hard work that got him there.
