Dodgers Rockies Game 2 Preview

After another annoying loss yesterday, the Dodgers can potentially clinch the NL West with a win in game two against the Rockies.

Jul 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

First thing’s first, the Dodgers accomplished their main mission in yesterday’s game. Sure they lost and Mike Bolsinger looked pretty bad (idk what else you would expect from a pitcher that depends on movement pitching in Coors), but the important thing was that trainer Stan Conte only appeared once to check up on Bolsinger, who stayed in the game. Staying healthy is more important that wins for these three games. If the Dodgers can keep their hamstrings in one piece through this series, I will be happy.

Brett Anderson will make his 30th start of the season, which is tied for the most he’s made in his seven year career and more than he’s made in the previous three seasons combined. He’s only six 2/3 innings away from matching his previous career high, which came in his rookie year. After posting sub-3.00 ERA’s in May and June, his ERA rose a bit in July and has been over 4.00 in August and September, so he might be beginning to wear down. He struggled his last time out against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs and 10 hits in four 2/3 innings, but as a ground ball pitcher he could find success in Coors. Of course, that’s if he can keep the ball in the ballpark, which he has had some trouble doing this year (17 percent HR/FB ratio).

The Dodgers offense is a bit more concerning right now than their pitching, and they’ll have to go up against Kyle Kendrick today. Kendrick has given up the most home runs in baseball this year (32), which should be good enough to wake up an offense that has struggled at times to score when the ball isn’t leaving the park. He held the Dodgers to a run in seven innings at Coors Field back in May, but the Dodgers knocked him around in June at Dodger Stadium.

Andre Ethier has three homers and nine hits in 33 career at bats against Kendrick, and Adrian Gonzalez is 10-20 in his career. My favorite Dodger line against Kendrick, which is completely irrelevant today, is that Clayton Kershaw is 5-7 with three doubles against Kendrick in the past. Also somehow Kenley Jansen is 1-1 against him.

Corey Seager is back in the lineup after sitting for a couple games with “heavy legs”. As much as we all want to see him play every day, keep in mind that he’s 21 and has already played more games this year than he has in any other season. I’d much rather have him right for the postseason than have him playing in less-meaningful games in the hellhole that is Coors Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA. At the point of publishing, the Giants are currently beating the A’s 4-3 in the third inning, so they might keep the Dodgers from clinching tonight even if the Dodgers win.