The Dodgers, losers of five straight games, get their fifth crack at the Angels today, sending a struggling John Ely to the mound looking to find his way back into "Ely Mania" form. Ely has faltered recently, allowing 15 runs in 14 2/3 innings in his last three starts after allowing just 13 runs in 46 innings in his first seven starts.
However, if we take a step back and look at the big picture, Ely has still provided a huge boost to the Dodger starting rotation. Of the 122 major league starters with at least 60 innings, Ely ranks 62nd in ERA (4.15), 45th in FIP (3.81), and 36th in x-FIP (4.01). Call me crazy, but those are solid numbers for a third starter, let alone a fifth starter.
Joel Pineiro, who pitched a complete game win at Dodger Stadium on June 11, is tied for the American League lead in complete games with three. However, Pineiro (two walks and three runs scored 12 days ago) isn't batting tonight so the Dodgers should be fine.
Notes
- Pitcher Aaron Miller has been promoted from Class A Inland Empire to Class AA Chattanooga
- Jon Weisman on Dodger Thoughts interviewed Class AAA Albuquerque Isotopes broadcaster Robert Portnoy
- In case you missed it yesterday, the All-Star Futures Game rosters were announced, and two Dodger prospects made it. Shortstop Dee Gordon will join the U.S. team, while third baseman Pedro Baez, sidelined since May 9 with shoulder subluxation, will join the World team for the second straight season.
- Of the 26 runs scored by the Angels in four games against the Dodgers this season, 19 have come with two outs
- On this day in Angels' history in 1987, Devon White became the first Angel to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game (or as I like to call it, an "Eddie Murray"), in a game in Texas. To give you an idea how long ago that was, Jamie Moyer was only in his second season.
- On this day in Dodgers' history, in 1996, Tommy Lasorda managed his final game, won by the Dodgers 4-3 over the Astros on a walk-off home run by Mike Piazza
Game Time: 7:05pm
TV: Prime Ticket