The Los Angeles Dodgers enter play Sunday with an opportunity to take the series from the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field and move into first place in the National League West. The Rockies led the division by 1.5 games when the four-game set began Thursday.
Julio Urias looks to join the line of strong performances turned in by a Dodgers left-handed starter. Urias hasn’t factored into the decision in any of his three starts thus far. He allowed one run in 6.1 innings in his last outing, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth.
Urias faced the Rockies twice last season, making one start and one relief appearance and pitching to a combined 5.14 ERA in those games. Urias allowed three runs on six hits in three innings of relief when he pitched at Coors Field last season.
Sunday’s start is his first time seeing the Rockies in 2017. Urias yields a 1.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP on the season, and has 10 walks and 10 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. He’s issued four walks in two of three starts.
The Rockies counter with a young hurler of their own in Antonio Senzatela. The rookie has completed at least the sixth inning in each start since making his MLB debut on April 6. Senzatela National League Rookie of the Month honors for April.
During his debut month, Senzatela went 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. In seven starts this season he’s 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA, 176 ERA+, 4.05 FIP and 1.07 WHIP. Included in that is a 3-1 record and 3.12 ERA in four starts at Coors Field.
No player on the Dodgers roster has faced the young right-hander. Similarly, the Rockies don’t have much experience against Urias. DJ LeMahieu and Mark Reynolds lead the team in four plate appearances.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Cody Bellinger
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Chris Taylor
1B: Chase Utley
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Julio Urias
Rockies lineup:
CF: Charlie Blacmon
2B: DJ LeMahieu
3B: Nolan Arenado
1B: Mark Reynolds
LF: Ian Desmond
RF: Carlos Gonzalez
SS: Pat Valaika
C: Dustin Garneau
P: Antonio Senzatela
