Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Maeda, Hudson, Cingrani, Buehler

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 06: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single in the fourht inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 06: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single in the fourht inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on July 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers opened up the 2018 freeway series in disappointing fashion last night as costly errors gave the Angels a 3-2 walk-off victory over the Dodgers.

The Dodgers game Friday night ended in disappointing fashion as the Dodgers played a well-played game until the bottom of the ninth inning.  The first mistake was Kenley Jansen letting Shohei Ohtani come back to draw a walk after Jansen was ahead 0-2.

After reaching base, Ohtani stole second and advanced to third on a wild throw by Yasmani Grandal.  Then came two singles and Yasiel Puig threw home on a throw that got past Yasmani Grandal and the winning run came in to score.  The Dodgers dropped to second place in the NL West, one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Lost in Friday’s hectic finish is the solid start by Kenta Maeda.  Maeda went 5 2/3 innings allowing one run on three hits and really looked in control of the Angels’ lineup for five innings.  In the sixth inning, Maeda ran into some trouble and Scott Alexander bailed Maeda out by striking out Albert Pujols with the bases loaded.  Maeda had his changeup working and it allowed him to induce weak contact all game long.

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Tony Cingrani threw a bullpen session Friday at Angels Stadium and is now going to Arizona to continue to work back from his shoulder issues.  While Scott Alexander has come on strong lately, Cingrani is the one Dodger lefty who has strikeout stuff.  Alexander is more of a ground ball pitcher.

  • Daniel Hudson has turned himself into one of the more reliable setup men in the Dodger bullpen.  In his last fifteen games, Hudson has posted a 1.40 ERA and a solid 1.19 WHIP.  In nineteen plus innings over that span, Hudson has struck out twenty-three batters while walking only eight.
  • Walker Buehler also threw a bullpen session in Anaheim yesterday and is on schedule to pitch a simulated game prior to Sunday night’s game.  As long as Buehler comes out of Sunday’s start fine he will then be ready to join the Dodgers rotation.  With only one week left before the all-star break, the Dodgers may choose to let Buehler return after the break.

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    • Ross Stripling will start today’s game and he will look to keep trucking along as the Dodgers inning eater.  Stripling has been hit more as of late as he has allowed forty hits in his last 42 innings.  Chicken Strip will look to get the Dodgers back in the win column and set up a rubber match for Sunday.