The Los Angeles Dodgers started their road trip with a shutout against the Colorado Rockies, and now can secure a series win at Coors Field.
Michael Grove is back to filling a starter role after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would be available for the “bulk” of Wednesday’s game. Grove’s role over the past week has been anything but settled.
He was expected to start in the finale of the Freeway Series, but the Dodgers instead used Brusdar Graterol as an opener for what wound up being a traditional bullpen game that Grove did not pitch in.
The right-hander was used out of the bullpen this past Friday for two innings in a high-leverage situation that was a new experience for Grove, but one he enjoyed and would embrace if that was the role the Dodgers set.
Overall this season, Grove is 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in eight games (six starts) for the Dodgers this season. Grove’s fastball velocity has been up since returning from a right groin strain that forced him to spend six weeks on the 15-day injured list.
The Rockies counter with Kyle Freeland, who has struggled to the tune of a 4-8 record, 4.54 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 16 starts this season. Freeland is on pace for a fifth consecutive season with a sub-.500 record since going 17-7 in 2018.
Freeland has yet to face the Dodgers this season and is just 5-9 with 4.38 ERA in 21 career starts against them.
With a lefty on the mound, the Dodgers lineup includes Miguel Vargas at second base. He’s been mired in a prolonged slump that Roberts said would amount to the team providing Vargas with more off days as they look to help get him on track.
Yonny Hernández starts at third base as the Dodgers don’t yet have Max Muncy playing back-to-back days this early into his return from a left hamstring strain. The start is Hernández’s first with the Dodgers and only second career game.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: James Outman
LF: Jonny DeLuca
3B: Yonny Hernández
Rockies lineup
LF: Jurickson Profar
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
3B: Ryan McMahon
C: Elias Díaz
1B: C.J. Cron
RF: Nolan Jones
DH: Randal Grichuk
2B: Harold Castro
CF: Brenton Doyle
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
