While the Los Angeles Dodgers managed to squeak out a win Thursday night despite Kenley Jansen being unavailable, the bullpen has now stumbled in back-to-back games since the All-Star closer was placed on the 10-day disabled list.
As a result, they enter play Sunday needing a victory to avoid losing a four-game series to the Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles begins tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West; both clubs are 1.5 games ahead of the Rockies.
The Dodgers received gutsy efforts from Ross Stripling Kenta Maeda, and a stellar performance out of Walker Buehler, and now lean on veteran Rich Hill.
The start is Hill’s fourth of his career at Coors Field but first since 2008. He’s hit a nice stretch over his last seven games, going 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA.
Colorado counters with Chad Bettis, who struggled in his return after missing five weeks because of a blister on his right middle finger. Bettis allowed nine runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in just 4.2 innings pitched against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He’s seen plenty of the Dodgers this season, twice drawing them at Dodger Stadium and once at Coors Field. Bettis has yet to earn a decision in those three starts, pitching to a 5.93 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched.
Coming off a night in which he hit a 100th career home run, Yasiel Puig finds himself batting third. It’s only his 11th such start this season.
Cody Bellinger returns to the lineup after appearing off the bench as a defensive replacement in Saturday’s loss. Bellinger is batting .433/.514/.667 during the month of August.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Brian Dozier
3B: Manny Machado
RF: Yasiel Puig
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Matt Kemp
SS: Chris Taylor
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Max Muncy
P: Rich Hill
Rockies lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
2B: DJ LeMahieu
SS: Trevor Story
RF: David Dahl
LF: Ian Desmond
1B: Ryan McMahon
C: Chris Iannetta
3B: Pat Valaika
P: Chad Bettis
