The Los Angeles Dodgers returned home and now begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, which is sandwiched between two road trips to the east coast.
Coming off a sweep and an off day, the Dodgers look to continue playing quality baseball against an opponent that has also been playing well recently. However, the two clubs are in opposite spots in the National League West standings with the Dodgers sitting atop the division and the Rockies in last.
Walker Buehler gets the ball looking for better results than his last time out when he allowed three earned runs in 5.2 innings. Buehler has been inconsistent in his first four starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, posting a 4.26 ERA in 19 innings with 17 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP.
The right-hander is in the process of learning how to adapt with reduced stuff and without the ability to rely on his fastball like he used to.
Buehler has allowed three earned runs in three of his starts and threw six shutout in the other, which came on May 18 against the Reds at Dodger Stadium.
Although expectations are tempered for him early, each outing gets him closer to what his true talent level will be following a second elbow reconstruction, and it’s important he keeps making strides.
Dakota Hudson starts for the Rockies, and the 2024 season has not been kind to him. The right-hander has posted a 5.54 ERA in 10 games, throwing 50.1 innings while striking out 28 and posting a 1.58 WHIP.
However, like many Rockies’ pitchers, he has been far better on the road, pitching to a 3.95 ERA in five games away from Coors Field, compared to a 7.43 ERA in Colorado.
As part of the key return of the Nolan Arenado trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, Hudson has overall not lived up to what the Rockies hoped. He owns a career 4.01 ERA in 521 innings with 343 strikeouts and a 1.41 WHIP.
Miguel Rojas gets a surprise start at third base against a right-hander, a role that has been primarily held by Kiké Hernández while Max Muncy is on the 10-day injured list. It is Rojas’ third consecutive start, and he’s been swinging a hot bat this season.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
LF: Teoscar Hernández
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Gavin Lux
3B: Miguel Rojas
CF: Andy Pages
Rockies lineup
RF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
3B: Ryan McMahon
C: Elías Díaz
DH: Kris Bryant
2B: Brendan Rodgers
1B: Elehuris Montero
CF: Brenton Doyle
LF: Jake Cave
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