The Los Angeles Dodgers take the field against the Colorado Rockies riding a modest four-game winning streak and inching ever closer to clinching an eight consecutive National League West title. They enter play Saturday with their magic number to do so down to four.
The earliest L.A. can wrap up the division is Sunday, though that would require completing a sweep of the Rockies and the San Diego Padres losing their next two games to the Seattle Mariners.
At minimum the Dodgers are guaranteed a split of the four games at Coors Field. Thus, they will begin a their final homestand with their only series loss this season coming at the hands of the Rockies at Dodger Stadium from Sept. 4-6.
None of those three games were started by Clayton Kershaw, who takes the mound Saturday. Kershaw is 23-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 42 career starts against the Rockies. He’s endured some struggles in Colorado, going a lifetime 10-5 with a 4.60 ERA in 22 outings.
Kershaw will again get a chance to work with Austin Barnes, as the two have long held a strong rapport that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is willing to lean into despite not being fond of personal catchers in the grand scheme of things.
The Rockies counter with Chi Chi Gonzalez, who has not fared well in his two starts this season but does have career success when facing L.A. Gonzalez is 1-0 with a 2.66 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Dodgers.
Overall this season he’s 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA in four games (two starts). Gonzalez last pitched Sept. 8, though only retired one of four batters faced prior to being removed from the start. Gonzalez ultimately was charged for four runs and took the loss against the Padres.
He landed on the 10-day injured list due to right biceps tendonitis and was activated Aug. 29.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Chris Taylor
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Edwin Rios
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes
Rockies lineup
LF: Raimel Tapia
SS: Trevor Story
3B: Nolan Arenado
RF: Charlie Blackmon
CF: Kevin Pillar
1B: Josh Fuentes
DH: Matt Kemp
2B: Garrett Hampson
C: Drew Butera
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