The Los Angeles Dodgers saw the return of Corey Seager on Friday, and now field a lineup that features their proverbial big four. Chris Taylor, who received a night of rest, is back in his typical leadoff spot.
Seager is batting second, followed by Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. It’s the first time the quartet is in the same lineup since Aug. 19. Also of note, Yasiel Puig is batting fifth for the 15th time this season.
He spent the bulk of the year hitting eighth, and last month was moved up to sixth for what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said would be the “foreseeable future.” Puig is batting .255/.345/.472 this season.
Joc Pederson makes a fourth consecutive start since he was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, but is in left field for the first time in his Major League career. Pederson made 10 starts in left for Oklahoma City after he was demoted.
Alex Wood makes his second start since coming off the disabled list. He went six innings against the San Diego Padres, allowed four runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and had seven strikeouts against two walks.
Wood is 2-0 and has held the Rockies to just one run over 12 innings across two starts this season. Charlie Blackmon is a career 5-for-13 with four RBI against the southpaw.
Chad Bettis takes the mound for the Rockies, who can clinch a series win and hand the Dodgers a ninth consecutive loss. He’s 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 5.63 FIP and 1.26 WHIP in just five starts this season.
In eight career games (five starts) against the Dodgers, Bettis is 0-2 with a 5.64 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. None of the Dodgers have extensive experience in facing the righty, though Turner is 6-for-9 with two doubles and three RBI.
Overall this season against the Rockies, Turner is batting .362/.444/.532 with
seven runs, five doubles, one home run and eight RBI to along with seven multi-hit games.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Logan Forsythe
LF: Joc Pederson
P: Alex Wood
Rockies lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
2B: DJ LeMahieu
3B: Nolan Arenado
1B: Mark Reynolds
RF: Gerardo Parra
SS: Trevor Story
LF: Ian Desmond
C: Jonathan Lucroy
P: Chad Bettis
