Dodgers Rockies Game One Preview

The Dodgers welcome the Rockies to LA for the final four games between the two teams this season.

The Dodgers essentially ended the Giants’ chances at the NL West crown with last night’s 9-3 win. Crazier things of happened, but this is where we are right now.

Even if the Giants sweep the Dodgers in SF to end the season, they’d need a ton of help to even tie for the West lead. It’s possible I guess, but it’s probably time for the Dodgers to start thinking about their postseason plans.

The Dodgers are using their first two games of the Rockies series as tryouts for a potential fourth starter, beginning tonight.

Dodgers Starter

Brett Anderson will make the start tonight. I honestly didn’t think he’d make another start for the Dodgers, but here we are.

It’s obviously a small sample, but Anderson’s been impressively bad in his two major league starts. His 14.63 FIP looks dominant compared to his 24.75 ERA. He’s only had four innings at the major league level this season, but only one of them has been scoreless.

When healthy, Anderson still has a track record of being an average-above average major league starter, which is why he’s still getting a shot. He posted a 3.69 ERA in 31 starts last season, which is not too shabby for a third/fourth starter at all. He accepted the qualifying offer in the offseason (an important note to remember for the people who hate the nerds for re-signing him, they didn’t really mean to), and obviously has failed to raise his value.

Anderson is an extreme longshot to make the postseason roster in any capacity, let alone start a potential must-win game. However, it would be irresponsible to not at least see what he can provide. He’ll probably have two shots at it, and if he deals, the Dodgers might have a tough decision to make. Be warned, in tomorrow’s preview, I’m going to copy this paragraph for Scott Kazmir.

Rockies Starter

Tyler Chatwood will make his career-high 26th start for the Rockies this season. His overall numbers aren’t lovely, as a 4.13 ERA/4.40 FIP isn’t a great combo.

Of course, Coors Field can take the blame for that. Chatwood has been downright dominant in his 11 road starts. In 66 innings outside of Pitcher Hell, Chatwood has allowed 45 hits, 13 runs and three homers. In 78 innings at Coors, he’s allowed 94 hits, 53 runs and 11 homers.

Chatwood has allowed fewer than two runs in nine of his 11 road starts. He had a couple rough starts against the Dodgers at Coors, but in LA he held them to one hit in eight innings back in June.

Dodgers Lineup

Andrew Toles makes a surprising cameo in the top half of the lineup. He’d never been in the starting lineup hitting higher than seventh before tonight, but is in the two-hole tonight.

Justin Turner gets a day off with Howie Kendrick starting at third. Turner surprisingly hasn’t has a day off since September 11th in Miami, so keeping him fresh is important.

In roster news, Anderson was obviously reinstated from the 15-day DL today. He wasn’t on the 60-day, so he was already on the 40-man. The same goes for Kazmir, who will have to be reinstated before his start tomorrow. When Kazmir is activated, the Dodgers will have 38 guys on their active roster.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on SNLA