The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to clinch a series victory against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday after taking the first two of their four-game set.
A win would also extend the Dodgers’ winning streak to seven games as they have been nearly unstoppable in August, going 10-1 to begin the month.
Tony Gonsolin takes the ball looking to rebound from his last outing when he gave up six runs over six innings to the San Diego Padres. Gonsolin has had an inconsistent season overall, going 7-4 with a 4.42 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 74 strikeouts in 93.2 innings.
“The results have sucked and been what they are,” Gonsolin previously said. “I’m just trying to stay with the process and keep moving forward.”
Gonsolin has dealt with trouble recovering between his starts and it has caused him fatigue, which could be contributing to overall struggles, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said it may be an issue related with his mindset.
The Dodgers needed Gonsolin to continue making starts while dealing with fatigue due to their lack of pitching options, but after adding Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough at the trade deadline and activating Clayton Kershaw off the 15-day injured list, they may be best off giving the right-hander some time to rest if he continues to struggle.
Overall in his career, Gonsolin is 33-10 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 341 strikeouts in 366.1 innings.
The Rockies counter with Peter Lambert, who has also found limited success this year and in his career while also showing some flashes of upside.
The 26-year-old is 2-3 with a 5.57 ERA in 53.1 innings with 47 strikeouts and a 1.44 WHIP. However, like many Rockies pitchers, he is far better on the road, posting an 8.14 ERA in 24.1 innings at Coors Field and a 3.41 ERA on the road in 29 innings.
Lambert has appeared in 40 career games, going 5-10 with a 6.80 ERA and 1.66 WHIP with 107 strikeouts across 148.1 innings.
Mookie Betts was originally set to be in the Dodgers lineup, but he was a late scratch and replaced by Kiké Hernández. Betts was hit by a pitch on Friday, but is feeling under the weather.
“He’s here, he’s laying low, relaxing. It’s one of those things that I don’t know if it was food poisoning or what it is, but he just doesn’t feel well,” Roberts said.
“I don’t want to go into details, but when you start talking about dehydration and things like that, it potentially could lead to something else. So best to just stay away from him tonight and the plan is to get him in the lineup tomorrow.”
Austin Barnes and Amed Rosario also draw the start against a right-hander, while Will Smith starts at designated hitter in place of the injured J.D. Martinez.
Prior to the game the Dodgers recalled Victor González from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Yency Almonte on the 15-day injured list due to a right knee sprain.
Dodgers lineup
LF: David Peralta
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Amed Rosario
C: Austin Barnes
Rockies lineup
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
3B: Ryan McMahon
2B: Brendan Rodgers
C: Elías Díaz
LF: Nolan Jones
RF: Michael Toglia
1B: Elehuris Montero
DH: Harold Castro
CF: Brenton Doyle
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