Dodgers Get Another Chance to Reclaim Top Spot in NL West

Aaron Harang (7-6, 3.76) vs. Alex White (2-6, 6.16)

Dodgers Lineup: vs. Colorado

Victorino 7

Hairston 5

Kemp 8

Ethier 9

Ramirez 6

Loney 3

Cruz 4

A.J. Ellis 2

Harang 1

Last night’s loss was frustrating as the Dodgers dropped game one versus the last place Colorado Rockies at home. They had the perfect opportunity to slot back into first place since the Giants had already lost to St. Louis earlier. Even without Dodger killer Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies’ two runs they found against Chris Capuano were enough for them to hold on to the victory. The Dodger offense was once again in slumber mode instead of Beast Mode, and they only managed five base hits over the length of the game. It’s been the same problem all season. The pitching is great, but it’s unrealistic to require the starting staff to pitch a shutout every game. This Dodger lineup is just not gelling yet, and even Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier aren’t producing. Of course one major problem is our lack of offense from the corner infielders. Now we have three inept first baseman with James Loney, Juan Rivera, and Jerry Sands. The Dodgers are hoping that Sands will transfer is hot hitting from the minors to the majors, but his track record hasn’t been all that impressive yet as a Big Leaguer.

Aaron Harang will go out to the mound tonight on an extra day’s rest after the Dodgers pushed his start back a day after acquiring Joe Blanton from Philadelphia. Like Cappy, Harang has regressed over the second half. He has lost three of his last five decisions, and he served up homeruns to the D-backs in his last start. He allowed 7 earned runs on 9 hits in just 5 innings of work in the home loss. In his career against Colorado, The Big Show is 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA. He’ll have to watch for the usual culprit since CarGo has hit him well and gone deep off the big right-hander.

Alex White will try to follow the respectable start by his teammate Drew Pomeranz last night with a series win for the Rockies. His last start was his first outing since being called

back up from AAA, and he allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits over 5 1/3 innings in the no-decision. The Dodgers have seen him twice this season. Back on June 3rd, White won after allowing just 2 runs on 2 hits in 6 2/3 innings at Coors Field. Earlier on May 13th, he picked up a loss against the Dodgers after going 4 1/3 innings and allowing 6 runs on 5 hits at Dodger Stadium. In his 11 innings pitched against the Dodgers, White sports a 1-1 record with a 6.55 ERA. White has been developing a better changeup, and in his last start against the Card he induced 12 groundouts.

If the Rockies win tonight, it will be their first series win at Dodger Stadium since September 2010. With the season transitioning into the final stretch, every game and every win is ultra important for the Dodgers. They cannot afford to drop these games to weak teams like the Rockies if they look to claim a postseason berth. Remember, a difficult East Coast road trip is on the horizon.

Tune into KCAL at 7:10 pm for first pitch, and then check back here after the game for all the highlights and lowlights.