Dodgers Way
FanSided

Dodgers: The Battle for the NL West

By Brook Smith

May 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Los Angeles Dodgers hang on the dugout wall of Coors Field during the sixth inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Los Angeles Dodgers hang on the dugout wall of Coors Field during the sixth inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
dodgers
Jun 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Three – Sunday 1:10 PM (Brandon McCarthy vs. German Marquez)

Pitching Match-up:  Brandon McCarthy is another pitcher performing well in Los Angeles, and he will take the mound for the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon. McCarthy has not faced Colorado this year but owns a superb 2.87 ERA in 2017 and his control has been much better this year. German Marquez, in his first full major league season, will go for Colorado. Marquez owns a 3.92 era on the year and has had some control issues. Marquez has walked 27 batters in 80 innings of work in 2017.

Dodgers’ Difference Maker: Cody Bellinger has absolutely torn apart opposing pitching in 2017. The new kid on the block has also managed to blast 22 home runs across 54 games, setting all sorts of rookie records along the way. Bellinger also owns a +.270 average against right-handed pitching and has hit 17 of his 22 home runs off of them. The kid is also hitting over .300 in day games this year, with 6 home runs. We may be in store for a Cody Bomb on Sunday.

Rockies’ Difference Maker: Ian Desmond had an unfortunate start to the year after getting hurt in Spring Training, but has produced in his first year for the Rockies. Desmond is hitting .277 with five home runs in 48 games.  Desmond also has two home runs at Dodgers stadium since 2014, in just 26 at bats.

Keys to the Game:  This may be the closest game of the series if Marquez is able to hold down the potent Dodger offense. McCarthy will need to maintain his control and Marquez will have to work around Cody Bellinger.  Other than that, this game will more than likely come down to a battle of the bullpens to decide who walks away from the series in first place.

Next: Kershaw's Home Run Rate

The Dodgers clearly look to have the upper hand in this series. Playing like the best team in baseball and also having their top three starters pitch in a big series should give them a series victory. Although it’s only June and every game counts the same, a series victory or even series sweep could lead to an NL West take over for the Dodgers.

Home/LA Dodgers News