The Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue their dominant ways against the Colorado Rockies after dropping the series against the San Francisco Giants with two consecutive blown saves from Kenley Jansen.
Despite recent struggles, L.A. still holds the fourth-best record in MLB at 59-39 and the second-best record in the National League behind the Giants, who have the best mark overall at 61-35.
The Rockies have the fourth-worst record in the NL at 42-54 and are saved from last place in the NL West by the 30-69 Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado also has an MLB-worst 9-34 record when they are on the road.
This is the second meeting between the two teams since the All-Star break and 11th this season — L.A. is 8-2 in the previous 10 matchups. The Dodgers took two out of three at Coors Field last week, with their only loss coming after a blown save from Jansen, which started a run of three-consecutive blown saves for him.
Despite Jansen’s recent struggles, manager Dave Roberts said he isnot rethinking his role as closer.
The Dodgers will be without Max Muncy for the series, as he left the team to be with his wife Kellie for the birth of their first child.
David Price will start the series opener for L.A. This season Price has a 3.12 ERA and 3.49 FIP in 34.2 innings but in five starts, he has thrown 13.1 innings with a 2.03 ERA, 1.68 FIP, 28.1% strikeout rate and 5.3% walk rate.
In his career against Colorado, Price has a 4.76 ERA over 28.1 innings pitched. He last started against the Rockies on July 18, where he went four innings and gave up one run on two hits.
The Rockies have hit .263/.328/.425 against southpaws this season, which is among the best in baseball, but with a 90 wRC+, they rank 24th, likely because their traditional stats are inflated by playing in Coors Field.
Colorado hands the ball to Chi Chi Gonzalez, a right-hander with a 5.99 ERA and 5.24 FIP in 85.2 innings this season. He last pitched against the Dodgers on July 16, where he went four innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits.
In his career against the L.A., Gonzalez has thrown 37.2 innings with a 4.78 ERA.
Against right-handed pitching, L.A. has hit .248/.345/.426 with a 114 wRC+, making them a top-three offense against righties this season.
By run differential, the Dodgers are the top team in baseball at +147 while the Rockies are the seventh-worst at -59.
There is also a very good chance this series is the last time the Dodgers will have to face star shortstop Trevor Story as a member of the Rockies because he will draw a lot of interest from contending teams before the July 30 trade deadline.
Story is set to reach free agency after the season and will be highly sought after, so the Rockies would be wise to trade him at the deadline.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Billy McKinney
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: AJ Pollock
1B: Matt Beaty
2B: Zach McKinstry
P: David Price
Rockies lineup
LF: Raimel Tapia
2B: Brendan Rodgers
SS: Trevor Story
RF: Charlie Blackmon
1B: C.J. Cron
3B: Ryan McMahon
C: Elias Diaz
CF: Garrett Hampson
P: Chi Chi Gonzalez
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
