Dodgers Rockies Doubleheader Preview

The Dodgers and Rockies will play two today. How does Coors Field not have a dome.

Seriously, that would solve weather and dinger problems.

Anyways, since Coors Field is inexplicably an open-roof stadium, the Dodgers and Rockies get to play two today. Nothing could possibly go wrong here.

The good news is that the Dodgers got a win of sorts last night, as the Diamondbacks held on to beat the Giants. Zack Greinke started and threw well which was nice to see. However, his next scheduled start is in LA, so that’s gonna be weird.

The Dodgers are two games up, and they have two games to play today. They lose their getaway day, but with a day off tomorrow and a shorter flight home, it shouldn’t be too bad. Just survive Coors Field for one more day, and then they don’t have to go back there until April at the earliest.

Dodgers Starters

Ross Stripling will start game one for the Dodgers. He was always supposed to start the 12:10 game today, it just so happens that now, that’s game one of the doubleheader. Stripling has a solid 4.13 ERA/3.88 FIP combo and has essentially been a league-average starter this season. He’s coming off a five inning outing against the Giants where he allowed three runs, but the Dodgers came an out away from being no-hit.

This will be Stripling’s first career start against the Rockies, and obviously will be his first start at Coors.

Rich Hill will start game two after originally be scheduled to start yesterday. Yesterday’s game preview touches on how he should fare in Colorado. Hill’s start might be in question as he threw 40 pitches in warm ups last night and is still recovering from his blister. If you watched Sunday’s game on TBS, you probably saw a picture of the blister. If not, a quick google search will take care of that. DO NOT GOOGLE IT it is disgusting and will ruin your appetite.

Rockies Starters

Tyler Anderson will start game one. He was originally supposed to start against Rich Hill, but he’s bumped up to start the early game. You can also read about him in yesterday’s preview.

Jeff Hoffman will get the start in the nightcap against Rich Hill. Another talented Rockies minor league arm, Hoffman was the key prospect the Blue Jays gave up for Troy Tulowitzki. Hoffman will be making his third major league start, and his first two haven’t gone too well.

In his debut, Hoffman allowed six runs in four innings against the Cubs. His second start went a bit better, as he allowed three runs in six innings at home against the Nationals. Hoffman’s third start will come against the other division leader, the Dodgers. So much for easing him into it.

Hoffman has a traditional repertoire. Relies mainly on the four seamer, and mixes in a curve, slider and changeup.

Dodgers Lineup

Obviously, the lineup for the night game won’t be available until much later. Here’s the lineup for the day game against the lefty Anderson.

A few changes from yesterday’s pre-rainout lineup. Corey Seager was originally out of the lineup, but he starts in game one (and unless his wrist acts up, will probably start in game two). This pushes Charlie Culberson to second, allowing Howie Kendrick to stay in left. Justin Turner was also originally out of the lineup, but he’ll start at third today. That pushes Rob Segedin to right. Josh Reddick, Joc Pederson and Chase Utley are all out of the lineup, but I’d expect them in the game two lineup.

That also goes for Yasmani Grandal, who’s out of the lineup in game one. Very few catchers would be asked to start both parts of a day-night doubleheader, and Grandal is not one of them. Sit him against the lefty (that’s why they brought in Carlos Ruiz), start him against the righty.

The Dodgers will have Luis Avilan, Louis Coleman, Austin Barnes and Josh Ravin up when rosters expand. Avilan will likely join the team today, as teams can have a 26th man available for doubleheaders. Avilan will have to stay down until Sunday as he was optioned on August 25th.

Game one will begin at 12:10, with game two scheduled for a 5:10 first pitch. Both games can be seen on SNLA.