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I Love The 1990s: Eovaldi Ushers In New Era For Dodgers

By Eric Stephen
Nate Eovaldi makes his major league debut tonight. (<em>Jon SooHoo / LA Dodgers</em>)
Nate Eovaldi makes his major league debut tonight. (Jon SooHoo / LA Dodgers)

As the Dodgers battle the Diamondbacks tonight at Chase Field in Arizona, the story of the night is the major league debut of Nate Eovaldi. The 21-year old will become the first player born in the 1990s to play for the Dodgers, joining this group of young Dodgers:

First Born In... Player Birthdate Dodger Debut
1940s Willie Davis April 15, 1940 September 8, 1960
1950s Bobby Valentine May 13, 1950 September 2, 1969
1960s Fernando Valenzuela November 1, 1960 September 15, 1980
1970s Billy Ashley July 11, 1970 September 1, 1992
1980s Cesar Izturis February 10, 1980 April 2, 2002
1990s Nate Eovaldi February 13, 1990 tonight

Lineups

Dodgers   Diamondbacks
SS Gordon
 SS Bloomquist
3B Blake 2B
 Johnson
RF Ethier RF Upton
CF Kemp CF Young
1B
 Rivera
 C Montero
2B
 Miles
 3B Roberts
C Barajas 1B Goldschmidt
LF Gwynn
 LF Parra
P Eovaldi P Saunders

Notes

  • At 21 years, 174 days old today, Eovaldi is the 11th youngest LA Dodger to make his MLB debut as a starting pitcher.
  • Tonight is Juan Rivera's eighth start at first base in 20 games since joining the Dodgers, and his 17th start overall. James Loney started 82 of 92 games at first base before the All-Star break. Though tonight's mound opponent, Joe Saunders, is left-handed, Rivera has started five times at first base against right-handed pitchers.
  • Matt Kemp has reached base via hit or walk in 13 consecutive games, and is hitting .380/.429/.620 during that span.
  • Kemp also has 52 walks this season, one shy of his career high, which was set last season.
  • Scott Elbert, who struck out the only batter he faced last night, has struck out eight of the 18 Diamondbacks he has faced this season, allowed just two hits and one walk in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
  • Jamey Carroll was named the Dodgers Heart & Hustle Award winner on Friday, voted by the MLB Players Alumni Association to reward players for their "passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field." Each team has one finalist, and the MLB winner will be announced on November 3.

Game Time: 5:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday

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