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Dodgers Quick Hits: Kershaw, Wood, Friday’s Starter

By Michael Wittman

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers ended their series with the Phillies in disappointing fashion as the Dodgers fell 2-1 to the Phillies and split their four-game series.  Both runs scored by the Phillies came on lucky breaks as the Phillies first run scored despite Maikel Franco never touching home plate.  Nick Williams singled up the middle and Cody Bellinger fired the throw home that beat Franco but catcher Yasmani Grandal was unable to field the throw and tag Franco.  Despite missing the catch the Dodgers could have appealed and the run would’ve never counted but the entire Dodgers’ staff missed the fact that Franco never touched home plate.

The Phillies’ second run came in the seventh inning on a double by Jorge Alfaro.  Yasiel Puig got a late start on the ball as he appeared to lose the ball in the sun and as a result, Sean Kingery came all the way around to score.  The Dodgers will now head to Colorado to face off with the first place Rockies.  The Dodgers will look to put a dent in the Rockies four-game lead.

Other news….

Clayton Kershaw returned from the disabled list on Thursday and he could be heading there again after only one start.  It was

announced

after Thursday’s game that Kershaw will not travel with the team to Colorado and he will undergo an MRI to make sure nothing is wrong with his back.  Dave Roberts mentioned that Kershaw’s back tightened up on him and that is certainly not good news for a guy that has had multiple back injuries the past few seasons.  Kershaw’s fastball was only around 87-88 miles per hour in his start which is another red flag that something may be wrong.

More from LA Dodgers News

  • Alex Wood was originally scheduled to start today but after dealing with cramps in his leg, he has been pushed back to Sunday.  The Dodgers are hoping that Wood will be ready to go Sunday as Alex is the only member of the Dodgers’ opening day rotation that has not been put on the disabled list this season.  If Wood cannot start then the Dodgers will once again need to reach into their starting pitching depth to hang on in the National League West.

    • As a result of Alex Wood being pushed back, today’s game will now be labeled as a bullpen game.  There is a chance Dennis Santana may get the “start” but given it will be his major league debut and the fact that the game is at Coors field, it’s unlikely that Santana pitches more than five innings.  Roberts also hinted that there is a chance the Dodgers could mimic the Ray’s strategy and start a left-handed reliever this evening with the Rockies top of the order having multiple left-handed bats.

    Next: Kershaw doesn't have to carry the load for the Dodgers' rotation

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