The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame some early offensive struggles to defeat the Colorado Rockies in Tuesday’s series opener at Coors Field and now can earn a series win.
Walker Buehler makes his career-high 31st start of the season and looks to bounce back from a loss in his last outing against the Cincinnati Reds. The right-hander notched a quality start by surrendering just three runs in six innings of work, but the Dodgers didn’t provide him with much run support as they fell 3-1.
Buehler enters at 14-4, having posted a 2.39 ERA, 3.20 FIP and 0.96 WHIP with 194 strikeouts against 49 walks in 192 innings pitched.
Buehler has faced the Rockies two previous times this season, and in those outings allowed a combined four runs on eight hits over 13 innings. In his career against Colorado, he owns a 6-2 record, 3.88 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 92.2 frames (18 games, 14 starts).
The Rockies counter with Germán Márquez, who tries to bounce back from a disappointing start against the Washington Nationals. He was tabbed for six runs on eight hits in four innings pitched and struck out only one batter.
Even after the rough outing, the 2021 All-Star still brings with him into Wednesday’s start a respectable 12-10 record, 4.16 ERA, 3.78 FIP and 1.23 WHIP in 171 innings this season (30 games).
Márquez historically has thrived against the Dodgers, as evidenced by his 2-1 record, 2.52 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 10 career starts. His last appearance against L.A. came on Opening Day at Coors Field when he yielded only one run over four innings pitched.
Márquez has fared much better at his home ballpark this year, compiling an 8-2 record, 3.16 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 16 starts. On the road, he has gone 4-8 with a 5.38 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 14 starts.
Chris Taylor is out of the Dodgers lineup for a second consecutive game as he continues to deal with lingering effects of a neck injury. Manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday’s win that Taylor was not available.
Presumably related to that, AJ Pollock was activated off the 10-day injured list. The Dodgers designated Shane Greene for assignment as the corresponding roster move.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
2B: Trea Turner
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
LF: Gavin Lux
RF: Luke Raley
P: Walker Buehler
Rockies lineup
LF: Raimel Tapia
2B: Brendan Rodgers
RF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Trevor Story
1B: C.J. Cron
3B: Ryan McMahon
C: Elias Daaz
CF: Sam Hilliard
P: Germán Márquez
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