The Los Angeles Dodgers added to the San Diego Padres’ woes by completing a series sweep at Petco Park, and now are back at Dodger Stadium for the start of a six-game homestand against a struggling Colorado Rockies team.
L.A. enters 10-3 against Colorado this season and took two of three when the teams last met during the final week of July. It’s the type of matchup Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has emphasized not losing focus in and capitalizing on.
“It’s very important,” he said of winning games against inferior opponents. “That’s what makes the Major League Baseball season so unique, is you play 162 (games) and it’s a grind. Not letting down against lesser opponents, or whatever you want to call it, is important.
“You’ve still got to beat those teams above .500, but the goal is to win more games in the regular season than teams in your division. We’ve done a pretty good job at that, and we’ve just got to keep winning against whoever we play.”
The Dodgers named Brusdar Graterol the starter for their bullpen game, but Andre Jackson figures to be tasked with filling a bulk role. The right-hander was recalled Friday and Darien Núñez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding roster move.
Jackson made his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 16, throwing four scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The start is Graterol’s third of his career but first this season.
The Rockies counter with Kyle Freeland, who allowed three runs on six hits and took a loss against the Dodgers during a July start. The southpaw enters 4-6 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 16 starts this season.
The Dodgers expected to have Max Muncy return to the lineup after he sat in the series finale against the Padres due to minor back tightness, but he remains out. Albert Pujols receives a start at first base.
The Rockies are 11 games under .500 and followed a five-game winning streak by dropping three of their last four. Though, Colorado did just snap a three-game losing skid by defeating the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Albert Pujols
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
P: Brusdar Graterol
Rockies lineup
LF: Connor joe
SS: Brendan Rodgers
RF: Charlie Blackmon
1B: CJ Cron
3B: Ryan McMahon
C: Elias Díaz
2B: Garrett Hampson
CF: Sam Hilliard
P: Kyle Freeland
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