Dodgers Rockies Game Two Preview

The Dodgers look to get back in the win column in game two against the Rockies.

Yesterday’s game was dumb. Let’s never do that again.

The potential post Puig era got off to a bad start, as the Dodger offense was absolutely shut down at the hitter haven that is Coors Field. They woke up in the eighth inning and scored three runs to not get completely embarrassed, but kicking a field goal when you’re down by a touchdown at the end of the game doesn’t do much.

Today’s a new day, and today’s game features a very intriguing pitching matchup, as Brock Stewart makes his second career start. The Rockies send out Tyler Anderson, who’s making his 10th career start.

Stewart began the year at Rancho after finishing his 2015 there. He threw 11 innings there before moving up to AA for 56 innings. After dominating Tulsa, Stewart was promoted to OKC, where he threw 42 more impressive innings. He got called up while the Dodgers were in Milwaukee for a spot start, and it didn’t go very smoothly. He showed a lot of promise and great break on his offspeed stuff, but was done in by a five-run second inning. He went five innings and allowed eight hits and five runs, but all five runs and six of the eight hits came in the second inning. Other than that, he was very good.

Anderson has a larger major league sample size to look at. He spent a majority of last season in AA, but started this year at high-A Modesto. He only appeared in one game before moving up to AA, and after two games there was promoted to AAA. Three starts later, Anderson was in the majors.

His career is off to a great start, especially considering his home ballpark. Six of his nine career starts have been at Coors, and he owns a 3.47 ERA in 36.1 innings at Coors. He’s gone at least five in every start and has gone six or more in seven of his nine starts. The lefty features a fastball, changeup and cutter, and has shown a curveball, but that’s not a pitch to rely on at Coors. Anderson has been tough on lefties in a small sample size, as he’s only allowed 12 hits (one extra base hit) in 61 plate appearances against them.

Scott Van Slyke hitting cleanup is not ideal. People really need to stop thinking the nerds in the front office control the lineup card.

Josh Reddick, Yasmani Grandal, and Chase Utley all sit against the lefty. Joc Pederson gets a surprising start, but without Yasiel Puig on the team they needed someone that could man center. Enrique Hernandez normally could, but with Utley sitting, Howie Kendrick slides over to second.

Next: Dodgers Acquire Josh Fields

A few roster moves appear to have been made. Reporters in Colorado tweeted that newly acquired Josh Fields and still-Dodger Julio Urias are both listed on the lineup card. Andrew Toles, Adam Liberatore and Louis Coleman appear to be gone. They needed three roster spots for Stewart/Fields/Urias, so those seem to be the moves. Having extra pitchers is always a good thing at Coors, but Toles’ demotion right after Puig’s demotion is a little surprising. Lord knows what they’re doing with Urias. He appeared twice at OKC since his spot start against the Nationals and has thrown 85.1 innings, only two shy of his career high in a season. He definitely needs to ramp up his workload if he wants to be a full-time starter next year, but having him move between the bullpen and rotation isn’t doing him any favors. Hopefully, he won’t be needed out of the bullpen and he’ll be sent back down when Rich Hill is ready. Hill reportedly threw a 50-pitch bullpen session today as he recovers from a blister.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.