True Blue LA - May 25: Dodgers 7, Cardinals 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-05-25T22:15:07-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/154591192017-05-25T22:15:07-07:002017-05-25T22:15:07-07:00Dodgers’ win over Cardinals anything but routine
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<img alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mLaLLk9iCsGUl6znwqZEg04Nej8=/0x0:2480x1653/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54959139/usa_today_10073685.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="m6oiaw">There was nothing routine about the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>’ 7-3 victory over the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> on Thursday night. But L.A. feasted on St. Louis in the middle innings to capture the series between playoff hopefuls.</p>
<p id="W2CfqD"><span>Kenta Maeda</span> looked rusty in his first game back after a forced rest, and allowed three runs in the first inning. </p>
<p id="LI40oF">He settled down, but down 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth and with Maeda at 69 pitches, <span>Logan Forsythe</span> was on the on-deck circle to bat for the pitcher, with Hyun-jin Ryu warming in the bullpen, waiting his first major league relief role.</p>
<p id="wvPrBJ">Then things got even more strange.</p>
<p id="3Ft8Yl"><span>Yasiel Puig</span> singled home a run to cut the deficit to 3-2, and with two outs and two runners on, manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> called Forsythe back and allowed Maeda to hit for himself. Naturally, Maeda singled inside the third base line to score the tying and go-ahead runs.</p>
<p id="eUUZCI">Buoyed by his own offensive contribution and by Roberts consulting Biff Tannen’s sports almanac, Maeda remained in the game and pitched a scoreless fifth to qualify for the win.</p>
<p id="ZncRDc">Ryu eventually did enter the game in relief, and pitched scoreless ball for four innings in his first game ever that he didn’t start. He induced eight ground ball outs and struck out two in a very effective outing.</p>
<p id="xa9O07">Ryu closed the game out, and earned <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/yVFU8">the Dodgers’ first four-inning save since Ramon Troncoso on Apr. 25, 2009</a>.</p>
<p id="1oE7QA"><span>Chris Taylor</span> had three hits in the win, including a double. <span>Kiké Hernandez</span> doubled, singled, and scored two runs, and <span>Chase Utley</span> homered, his first of the season.</p>
<h3 id="Nl3VnV">Up next</h3>
<p id="OQjH9v">The Dodgers welcome the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> to town next, sending <span>Alex Wood</span> to the mound on Friday night to face <span>Jake Arrieta</span> for Chicago.</p>
<h3 id="e0IxhF">Thursday particulars</h3>
<p id="y5JI6f"><strong>Home run</strong>: Chase Utley (1)</p>
<p id="vy3taC"><strong>WP - Kenta Maeda (4-2)</strong>: 5 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p id="dlh7Re"><strong>LP - </strong><span><strong>Michael Wacha</strong></span><strong> (2-2)</strong>: 4+ IP, 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts</p>
<p id="nuShxe"><strong>Sv - Hyun-jin Ryu (1)</strong>: 4 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/25/15696308/dodgers-middle-innings-kenta-maeda-hyun-jin-ryu-no-routine-cardinals-recapEric Stephen2017-05-25T18:28:35-07:002017-05-25T18:28:35-07:00Avilan placed on DL, Liberatore activated
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<img alt="MLB: Miami Marlins at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VWN4QMeHelI9ePv-h9Ms3hitbI0=/0x0:3013x2009/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54956651/usa_today_10063762.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LHP sidelined with triceps soreness</p> <p id="HWbIpJ">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> swapped out left-handers in their bullpen in one final roster move before Thursday’s series finale against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, placing <span>Luis Avilan</span> on the 10-day disabled list with left triceps soreness and activating <span>Adam Liberatore</span> from the 10-day DL.</p>
<p id="kt7rxp">Avilan has been the Dodgers’ most prolific relief pitcher this season, pitching in 23 of 47 games as a left-handed specialist. Avilan has a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings, with 20 strikeouts and eight walks.</p>
<p id="sJHaHM">He struck out one in a scoreless inning in extras on Tuesday night. The DL move was retroactive to Wednesday, meaning the earliest Avilan could be activated is Saturday, June 3.</p>
<p id="7Z7BYB">Avilan is the 20th different Dodgers player to be placed on the disabled list in 2017.</p>
<p id="FQqFD6"><span>Liberatore</span> has only pitched in two games for the Dodgers this season, allowing a run in 1⅓ innings, with one walk and one strikeout. In eight appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season he has a 0.93 ERA with nine strikeouts and just one walk in 9⅔ innings.</p>
<p id="2BFTBv">Liberatore missed 14 games with a left groin strain, and on Wednesday joined Oklahoma City on a rehab assignment, but didn’t yet pitch.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/25/15695644/luis-avilan-disabled-list-triceps-soreness-dodgers-adam-liberatoreEric Stephen2017-05-25T15:38:35-07:002017-05-25T15:38:35-07:00Pederson lands on 7-day concussion DL
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<img alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NAKGixY9dL5Fj0sanXtAdzOX0PU=/0x0:2168x1445/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54955307/usa_today_10071866.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Os7kYq">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated <span>Kenta Maeda</span> off the disabled list to start Thursday’s series finale against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, and to make roster room the club placed <span>Joc Pederson</span> on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion.</p>
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<p id="yGpVyo">Pederson had <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/24/15683750/joc-pederson-yasiel-puig-collision-video-injury-stiff-neck-sore-ribs-dodgers">a violent collision with Yasiel Puig and the right field wall in the 10th inning on Tuesday</a>, and was removed from the game. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Pederson passed initial concussion tests.</p>
<p id="ALNcBq">This is the second DL stint of the season for Pederson, who missed 10 games in April and May with a strained groin. </p>
<p id="X0bb03">The concussion DL has been in place for a few years, and allows for an even shorter, seven-day stay on the sideline if needed. The move was made retroactive to Wednesday, so the earliest Pederson could be activated off the DL is next Wednesday when the Dodgers are in St. Louis.</p>
<p id="gDNLAU">It is unknown how long Pederson will miss.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joc was told to limit brain stimulation including no television. He went through tests yesterday and expects more today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a></p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/867872952229838849">May 25, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joc Pederson says he's supposed to stay away from his phone, not watch TV and not play video games. He said he doesn't feel like himself.</p>— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughTimes/status/867873474034802688">May 25, 2017</a>
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<p id="tUq7hm"><span>Chris Taylor</span> gets his second straight start in center field in Thursday’s game against the Cardinals.</p>
<p id="74Z28P">Maeda last pitched for the Dodgers on May 10, taking a shutout into the ninth inning in a win over the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>. He made one minor league rehab start last Friday for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, throwing 62 pitches in four innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/25/15694148/joc-pederson-7-day-disabled-list-concussion-dodgersEric Stephen2017-05-25T13:21:49-07:002017-05-25T13:21:49-07:00Maeda back to start finale with Cardinals
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<img alt="St Louis Cardinals v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8HeE182bWCkUvlCn4KXzUmY3Osg=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54952851/687508584.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="aAn3jm"><span>Kenta Maeda</span> is coming off his best start with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, and also coming off an extended rest period, missing two weeks on the disabled list with what was termed hamstring tightness by the team. With his start on Thursday against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, the Dodgers could be back to a relatively normal starting rotation their next few trips through.</p>
<p id="wSik7n">The first seven weeks of this season has seen the Dodgers juggle six and sometimes seven starting pitchers through five slots. To date, only 15 of 47 Dodgers starts have come on four days rest, and five of those have been <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>.</p>
<p id="hh7HHc">The rest of the staff has been slotting in whenever possible. Five of the seven starters have taken turns either on the disabled list or in the minors, and a sixth — <span>Alex Wood</span> — spent time in the bullpen.</p>
<p id="qeNoUa">But with Urias in Triple-A for the moment trying to fix what ails him, news came Wednesday that Hyun-jin Ryu won’t be starting anytime soon:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roberts would not say when Ryu would pitch again.</p>
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/867521617068302336">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch again this season, Dave Roberts said. But not this weekend against the Cubs. Possibly next week on the road.</p>
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughTimes/status/867522046221209601">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="bFziss"> </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> Dave Roberts couldn't say when Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch again. Did say a temporary role in long relief "has been discussed "</p>
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/867522870213201921">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> considering using Ryu in long relief. Hesitation is he's never done it before.</p>
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/867522513126825984">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roberts said there is concern about Ryu adjusting to change of routine necessary for relief.</p>
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/867522388048531456">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="47J3as">Depending on how things shake out, the next few weeks has the potential to look almost like a normal, five-man starting rotation.</p>
<p id="Zmdfc3">But you know what they say about making plans.</p>
<h3 id="497sPD">Game info</h3>
<p id="GttwF9">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="VURiSf">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/25/15693426/kenta-maeda-start-dodgers-cardinals-previewEric Stephen2017-05-22T15:00:01-07:002017-05-22T15:00:01-07:00Dodgers-Cardinals probable pitchers
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XymSZedFJYyq2VpbLcUX1Ue1Bz8=/0x22:2220x1502/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54885821/usa_today_10016283.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="sz4NbO">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> continue their homestand with a three-game set against the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> beginning Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Here is a look at the probable pitchers for the series.</p>
<h3 id="YVewiX">Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, ESPN)</h3>
<p id="xeHJFr"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> has 31 strikeouts and two walks in his four home starts in 2017. <span>Lance Lynn</span> is holding right-handed batters to just .133/.212/.222 (12-for-90, 27 strikeouts, five walks) this season, but lefties are hitting him to the tune of .289/.393/.556, with 12 walks and 13 strikeouts.</p>
<p id="aWLr3W">The ESPN broadcast is a full national telecast, and will not be blacked out.</p>
<h3 id="lPNOVN">Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="GRHpZw">Wednesday will mark 38 days since <span>Rich Hill</span> last made a start at Dodger Stadium. He’ll also be on seven days rest since his starting last Tuesday in San Francisco.</p>
<p id="DWNsqU"><span>Mike Leake</span> has eight straight quality starts to open his 2017, and sports a 2.03 ERA with 37 strikeouts against 10 walks in 53⅓ innings.</p>
<h3 id="sp7IUE">Thursday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="FveRVG"><span>Kenta Maeda</span> will be activated from the disabled list to start the series finale on Thursday night. He threw 62 pitches in four innings in a tuneup on Friday for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.</p>
<p id="gmLRdv"><span>Michael Wacha</span> has lasted at least six innings in all seven of his starts this season. As a precaution for someone with a history of shoulder injuries, the <a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2017/5/11/15628086/michael-wacha-injury-news-to-have-start-skipped">Cardinals skipped a Wacha start earlier in May</a>, and the extra rest helped. He pitched six scoreless innings in his last time out, on Friday against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/22/15673848/dodgers-cardinals-pitching-probables-tv-scheduleEric Stephen2017-05-22T14:59:02-07:002017-05-22T14:59:02-07:00Dodgers-Cardinals series snapshot
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<img alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qhtCle7S125G3lVGG4H6H94ypm8=/194x0:2480x1524/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54891845/usa_today_8602237.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="B8ZVz7">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> have consolidated their 2017 regular season meetings into a short window, with seven games against each other over the next 10 days. The first three of those are in Los Angeles beginning Tuesday night, and here’s a broad overview of both teams heading into the series at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="hWdnR0">Teams: Dodgers (26-19) vs. Cardinals (22-19)</p>
<p id="UnqoJM">Split records: Dodgers 16-7 at home, Cardinals 10-6 on road</p>
<p id="5HSNAt">Run differential: Dodgers +64 (1st in NL), Cardinals +17 t-5th in NL)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 5.07 per game (4th), Cardinals 4.54 (10th)</p>
<p id="ps7oUh">OPS+: Dodgers 109 (2nd), Cardinals 101 (5th)</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="PWK4Q7"><div data-anthem-component="table:457268"></div></div></div>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+: Dodgers 111 (t-1st), Cardinals 99 (6th)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.64 (1st), Cardinals 4.12 (3rd)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 123 (2nd), Cardinals 118 (3rd)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 6-4, Cardinals 5-5</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2017 head-to-head record: first meeting</p>
<p id="xXqiza">2016 head-to-head: 4-2 Dodgers (2-1 Dodgers in LA)</p>
<p id="kil4tY">Cardinals SB Nation site: <a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com">Viva El Birdos</a></p>
<h3 id="xdThOZ">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="YDdhZk">Tuesday: <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> vs. <span>Lance Lynn</span><br>Wednesday: <span>Rich Hill</span> vs. <span>Mike Leake</span><br>Thursday: <span>Kenta Maeda</span> va. <span>Michael Wacha</span></p>
<h3 id="OLQKwF">Series schedule</h3>
<p id="UYVBCa">Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, ESPN)<br>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)<br>Thursday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/22/15673896/dodgers-cardinals-series-statistics-scheduleEric Stephen