The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday night and now look to conclude their homestand with a series win against the Colorado Rockies, who are just 10-35 outside of Coors Field this season.
Having already made his MLB debut out of the bullpen last week, Josiah Gray now is on the mound for his first career start. The right-hander allowed four runs on four hits, including three home runs, but also had seven strikeouts over four innings in his debut.
“Homers happen to everyone. They’re going to happen to me, they’re going to happen to every pitcher in this game,” Gray said. “Especially at this level because of how talented every hitter is. Just re-instilling that confidence in my stuff.
“Knowing that I’m going to go out there with my best stuff and if that hitter beats me on that one pitch, so be it. I’m going to go at the next hitter with that same stuff and try to be that much better.
“So that’s the confidence I had after a few of those home runs. I can’t dwell on that home run. That’s going to be my mentality from here on out and will always be my mentality.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was similarly optimistic about Gray’s debut and believes he could benefit from being back in the more familiar position of making a start.
The Rockies counter with Jon Gray, who makes a second consecutive start against the Dodgers. He scattered six hits and had seven strikeouts across seven innings last Sunday at Coors Field. Gray surrendered a home run to Justin Turner in the outing.
The Dodgers remain without Mookie Betts as he wasn’t expected to return until Tuesday, but he was placed on the 10-day injured list minutes before first pitch. Jimmy Nelson was activated off the IL.
Cody Bellinger was a candidate to be be back from left hamstring tightness by starting at first base to alleviate some of the pressure on his legs, but he is not in the lineup either.
Roberts indicated the team is hopeful not playing Sunday and having an off day Monday will allow for Bellinger to return for the San Francisco Giants series.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Billy McKinney
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
1B: Matt Beaty
CF: AJ Pollock
2B: Zach McKinstry
LF: Luke Raley
P: Josiah Gray
Rockies lineup
LF: Raimel Tapia
2B: Brendan Rodgers
RF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Trevor Story
1B: C.J. Cron
C: Elias Diaz
CF: Sam Hilliard
3B: Joshua Fuentes
P: Jon Gray
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