In what was a back-and-forth game, the Los Angeles Dodgers came away with a 12-8 win over the Colorado Rockies in the first of a four-game weekend series at Coors Field.
The Dodgers have now have a chance to earn a 13th straight win against the Rockies in a streak that dates back to last season. Colorado has their work cut out for them as the look to snap the drought, needing to face Hyun-Jin Ryu.
In 15 starts this season, the left-hander is 9-1 with a Major-League-leading 1.27 ERA to go along with a 2.50 FIP and 0.84 WHIP. He has struck out 90 while walking just six batters in 99 total innings.
Ryu’s last start was also against the Rockies one week ago at Dodger Stadium. He allowed six hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out five and walking one in six innings of work, earning a no-decision.
Like most pitchers, Coors Field is not a ballpark that Ryu has had success at in the past. He is 1-3 with a 7.56 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in four career starts.
Opposing Ryu is right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who also faced the Dodgers last weekend and turned in a strong outing. The 24-year-old allowed five hits and two runs while striking out five and walking one in 6.1 innings, which was one of his best outings all season.
In 14 starts this season, Senzatela is 6-5 with a 4.91 ERA, 5.27 FIP and 1.57 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 34 walks in 77 innings. He has really struggled at Coors Field, posting a 6.21 ERA in six home starts compared to 3.92 in eight starts away from Colorado.
One player who enjoys Coors Field is Max Muncy, and his historic performance is proof. After hitting two home runs in the series opener, he now has eight in 13 career games at the hitter-friendly ballpark.
Muncy has been swinging the bat at an elite level over the last couple of months, hitting .306/.413/.607 with 14 home runs, 40 runs scored and 35 RBI in his last 48 games.
While Ryu has dominated most of the league over the past two seasons, one player who has actually found success against him is Nolan Arenado. He is 12-for-21 with three home runs in his career against Ryu.
Ian Desmond has also seen him well, going 4-for-7, including three hits off Ryu last week at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers lineup:
1B: Joc Pederson
CF: Alex Verdugo
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Max Muncy
LF: Mtt Beaty
SS: Chris Taylor
C: Russell Martin
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Rockies lineup:
RF: Charlie Blackmon
CF: Ian Desmond
LF: David Dahl
3B: Nolan Arenado
1B: Daniel Murphy
C: Chris Iannetta
2B: Ryan McMahon
SS: Garrett Hamspon
P: Antonio Senzatela
