The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend by winning the last two contests, although it came at the expense of Clayton Kershaw, who left Sunday’s start with a back injury that may keep him out a minimum of four weeks.
The Dodgers’ season-long tying homestand continues Monday with the opener of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins. It marks the Twins’ first visit to Dodger Stadium since 2005.
Hyun-Jin Ryu returns from the 10-day disabled list and makse his first start since taking a line drive off his left foot June 28. Residual swelling and pain put Ryu on the DL on July 4.
In 14 games (13 starts) this season, he’s is 3-6 with one save, a 4.21 ERA, 5.01 FIP and 1.40 WHIP. Ryu has 69 strikeouts against 22 walks over 72.2 innings of work. In seven games at Chavez Ravine this year, Ryu has gone 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA.
Opposing Ryu is the oldest pitcher in the league, Bartolo Colon. The 44-year-old is making his second start for the Twins since signing with the team after he was released by the Braves. Colon went 2-8 with an 8.14 ERA in 13 starts with Atlanta.
Colon threw four innings and allowed four runs on eight hits against the New York Yankees in his first start with the Twins. The veteran right-hander has faced the Dodgers nine times in his career, going 2-6 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
Chase Utley has enjoyed his share of success against Colon in his career, going 11-for-23 (.478 batting average) with a home run. Yasmani Grandal has also homered off Colon and is 2-for-7 overall.
Utley is not in the starting lineup, though, as the hero from Sunday’s walk-off win, Logan Forsythe, takes his normal position at second base. Forsythe got off to a slow start this season but has swung the bat better of late, hitting .324/.437/.451 with 17 runs scored in his last 22 games.
Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who was rumored to be trade target of the Dodgers during last offseason, has been swinging a hot bat since the All-Star break. He’s 13-for-37 (.351 batting average) with three home runs and eight RBIs in the second half.
The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves before Monday’s game, placing Clayton Kershaw (back) and Brandon McCarthy (blister) on the 10-day disabled list, and optioning Trayce Thompson to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In addition to Ryu coming off the disabled list, Josh Ravin was recalled and Edward Paredes had his contract selected.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Twins lineup:
2B: Brian Dozier
1B: Joe Mauer
3B: Miguel Sano
SS: Eduardo Escobar
LF: Eddie Rosario
RF: Robbie Grossman
C: Jason Castro
CF: Zack Granite
P: Bartolo Colon
