In 2018, a September game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies meant major implications for the National League West division race. This season, however, the Dodgers ran away with the NL West while the Rockies sunk into last place.
The Dodgers have already clinched their seventh straight NL West title, the earliest date in L.A. franchise history they had done so. But they still have goals to play for as they open their final home series of the 2019 season against the Rockies.
Following an extra-innings loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, the Dodgers enter play trailing the Houston Astros and New York Yankees in the race for baseball’s best record and home-field advantage in the World Series.
They remain 4.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the NL’s best record and NL Championship Series home-field advantage. However, the Dodgers have already clinched home-field advantage in the NL Division Series for the third straight season.
Rookie Peter Lambert, a native of nearby San Dimas, Calif., gets the start for the Rockies. This will mark Lambert’s third career start in his hometown team’s ballpark, where he has struggled thus far. Over his previous two starts at Dodger Stadium, Lambert has allowed nine earned runs on 15 hits in just 6.2 innings.
Lambert is opposed by Clayton Kershaw, who again is starting on extra rest. Kershaw pitched into the seventh inning his last time out and remained undefeated in his career at Citi Field. Overall this season Kershaw is 14-5 with a 3.05 ERA.
The Dodgers remain without Justin Turner as he misses a 10th consecutive game in the past 13 days because of a sprained ankle. Turner completed various tests on Wednesday and told DodgerBlue.com his ankle continues to improve.
In a stretch that dates back to July 2018, the Rockies have dropped 11 consecutive games at Dodger Stadium. It trails only the Cincinnati Reds (12 games) for the longest losing streak by an opponent at Chavez Ravine.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
3B: Max Muncy
LF: A.J. Pollock
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
P: Clayton Kershaw
Rockies lineup:
SS: Trevor Story
1B: Daniel Murphy
3B: Nolan Arenado
RF: Charlie Blackmon
LF: Ian Desmond
CF: Garrett Hampson
2B: Pat Valaika
C: Tony Wolters
P: Peter Lambert
