True Blue LA - August 16: Dodgers 5, White Sox 4Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-08-17T06:43:08-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/159216512017-08-17T06:43:08-07:002017-08-17T06:43:08-07:00Anatomy of a comeback
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<img alt="MLB: Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PXONKXG8XUo1lfbvOSzsLV-n8nk=/0x0:4668x3112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56235009/usa_today_10222566.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Ybg8Zc">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> came through <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16159892/yasiel-puig-walk-off-dodgers-unreal-seriously-how-white-sox-recap">again on Wednesday night</a>, erasing a two-run deficit to deliver their MLB-best 10th walk-off victory of the season, a 5-4 win over the hapless <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>. Let’s take a moment to relive the Dodgers’ 38th comeback win of 2017.</p>
<h3 id="MFINPU">The ninth</h3>
<p id="NVDa4D">The White Sox are in full rebuild mode, and have lost 27 of their last 35 games, including 14 of their last 16 road games. Chicago had a chance to leave Los Angeles with a win, up 4-2 entering the ninth, but were left with a unique situation.</p>
<p id="ijyfGX">None of their relievers have recorded a save this season, the result of midseason deals to continue the rebuild. <span>David Robertson</span> (13 saves this season for Chicago), <span>Tyler Clippard</span> (two saves) and <span>Anthony Swarzak</span> (one save) were all traded in the last month.</p>
<p id="PZrGjv"><span>Gregory Infante</span>, who was a non-roster invitee in spring training with the Dodgers in 2013, started the ninth for the White Sox, and retired <span>Justin Turner</span> for the first out. At that point, <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2017-08-16&team=Dodgers&dh=0&season=2017">per the FanGraphs game log the Dodgers had a 3.8-percent win expectancy</a>.</p>
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<cite><em>Source: </em><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2017-08-16&team=Dodgers&dh=0&season=2017"><em>FanGraphs</em></a></cite>
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<p id="9hE3rX">The Baseball-Reference game log <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201708160.shtml">showed a five-percent win expectancy at the same point</a>. The takeaway: the odds were still long for the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="WkSAqV">With a <span>Cody Bellinger</span> pinch hitting, manager Rick Renteria turned to left-hander <span>Aaron Bummer</span>, who like Infante has no career saves. Bellinger, who was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16156312/cody-bellinger-sits-dodgers-offense-6-runs-white-sox-lineups">out of the starting lineup for just the fourth time in his 99-game career</a>, delivered a single up the middle.</p>
<p id="fcNCye">The left-handed rookie is hitting .270/.323/.533 against southpaw pitchers this season.</p>
<p id="Tmejtz">Then came another pitching change. <span>Jake Petricka</span>, who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/15/16155034/dodgers-rally-hbp-floodgates-50-home-wins-white-sox-recap">forced home the go-ahead run with a hit by pitch then allowed a pair of two-run singles in the eighth inning on Tuesday night</a>, was called upon to finish things off for the White Sox. Petricka doesn’t have a save this season, but did save 16 games in 2014-15 for Chicago.</p>
<p id="fUUMhg"><span>Logan Forsythe</span> greeted him with a double down the left field line to score Bellinger, pulling the Dodgers within one. <span>Austin Barnes</span>, who hit a two-run single against Petricka on Tuesday, singled again on Wednesday, but his knock to center field was hit too hard to score Forsythe from second base.</p>
<p id="Xn6fI7">Petricka during the two-game series faced nine batters. He allowed six hits and hit a batter, allowing four runs of his own and all four of his inherited runners. </p>
<p id="iJDvye">The Dodgers swept their 16th series of the season — best in MLB. Even if you remove the sweeps this season (a 46-0 game record), the Dodgers would be 39-34 (.534), a winning percentage good enough to lead the National League Central and behind only Washington, Colorado and Arizona in the entire NL.</p>
<h3 id="r7KpH8">The game-winner</h3>
<p id="pghMpL"><span>Yasiel Puig</span>, who recorded his 50th walk of the season earlier in the game, and who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16155464/dodgers-walks-franchise-history">walked twice to load the bases to spark rallies on Tuesday night as well</a>, ran the count to 3-2 against Petricka, but nearly struck out, barely fouling off a ball at the plate.</p>
<p id="Oe063P">Then, Puig grabbed the ball and did this:</p>
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<p id="jKjbtO">Mary Hart didn’t know what to think. It didn’t go unnoticed.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">that was awesome. Also, you tried to eat a baseball. That was weird.</p>— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) <a href="https://twitter.com/BMcCarthy32/status/898067667252158464">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I thought it was manzana <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hungrypuig?src=hash">#hungrypuig</a> ♂️</p>— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) <a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/898070445592674304">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Manzana ---> Apple! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewWordOfTheDay?src=hash">#NewWordOfTheDay</a></p>— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) <a href="https://twitter.com/kikehndez/status/898070991515000832">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="vVJIxv">“I wonder if they kept that ball, with the bite mark on it,” said analyst <span>Nomar Garciaparra</span> on the SportsNet LA broadcast.</p>
<p id="IYBAnd">Two pitches later — on the eighth pitch of the at-bat — Puig hit the ball into the gap in left center field. He hit it into no-man’s land, and with Barnes flying from first base, it was obvious the winning run would score with ease. Look where Barnes is before any White Sox outfielder was anywhere close to the ball.</p>
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<p id="7DnzHe">Barnes scored from first easily without a throw.</p>
<h3 id="ivuLrn">The call</h3>
<p id="fpQeRv">Joe Davis didn’t get to call any home games in his first year calling the Dodgers, but now as the full-time announcer he has crammed in two years worth of memorable calls into one. Davis was up to the task in calling the Dodgers’ 10th walk-off win of the season.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PuigYourHero?src=hash">#PuigYourHero</a>! Win number 8⃣5⃣ for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@Dodgers</a> comes via their 10th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/walkoff?src=hash">#walkoff</a> of the season. <a href="https://t.co/s2jytycIF4">pic.twitter.com/s2jytycIF4</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/898053482380500992">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="FjKpBP">“Can Yasiel Puig deliver? You bet he can! Into the gap in left center. Not a question of if. The question is who, and when. Tonight, it’s Puig in the ninth!”</p>
<p id="Owtmki">Davis rises to the occasion at the right moments, and last night delivered in his own right, even invoking a much more exciting game of Clue to describe the game-winner.</p>
<p id="WiMG21">To Davis’ point, the question of who is real, of the 10 Dodgers walk-off wins this season, <a href="https://bbref.com/pi/shareit/ElllW">nine different players have delivered the winning RBI</a>.</p>
<p id="4zOnMQ">The Dodgers are 8-27 (.229) when trailing after eight innings in 2017. The rest of MLB in those situations is 141-1,426 (.090).</p>
<p id="ZYPvAS">Even with the excitement of the call, Davis let the moment breathe as well, going silent for 51 seconds afterward, letting the celebration do the talking before adding, “How do you like that, folks? Yasiel Puig, the hero.”</p>
<h3 id="45IzjX">The celebration</h3>
<p id="4I0mFK">During the euphoria, Puig found his man, hitting coach Turner Ward. Before the game, they were both wearing new t-shirts.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turner Ward's new shirt. <a href="https://t.co/w2olq1Bm7g">pic.twitter.com/w2olq1Bm7g</a></p>— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joe_Davis/status/897961764758839298">August 16, 2017</a>
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<p id="yVYIdl">Then, life imitated art:</p>
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<p id="RQXuyP">What a game.</p>
<p id="X7oBDA">It was so good, it was worth overlooking this cringe-worthy sponsored celebration pun:</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/17/16161042/dodgers-comeback-win-breakdown-yasiel-puig-joe-davisEric Stephen2017-08-16T22:46:24-07:002017-08-16T22:46:24-07:00Puig delivers latest Dodgers comeback
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<img alt="MLB: Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/spTlV4ue3UhTyRS5bHjuAPLDdTI=/0x0:3795x2530/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56232119/usa_today_10222556.1502947652.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LA has won 30 of its last 34 home games</p> <p id="OZdcdD">Trailing by two runs in the ninth inning, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> staged their latest rally in what is rapidly becoming the greatest season in franchise history. <span>Yasiel Puig</span> played hero with a two-run, walk-off double, delivering a 5-4 win over the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="dej8Nv">The ninth inning saw a parade of Chicago relievers, none of which have a save in 2017, with former closers <span>David Robertson</span> and <span>Tyler Clippard</span> traded. <span>Gregory Infante</span> started the ninth, and recorded what was the only out of the frame.</p>
<p id="Vp8gtt"><span>Aaron Bummer</span> followed, but was pulled after allowing a single to pinch-hitter <span>Cody Bellinger</span>, who has played in all 99 games since his call to the majors. <span>Jake Petricka</span> followed to the mound, and ultimately fell on his sword.</p>
<p id="M0szgV">Petricka faced three batters and didn’t retire one. <span>Logan Forsythe</span> doubled home <span>Bellinger</span> to pull the Dodgers within one, then <span>Austin Barnes</span> singled to center, putting runners at the corners for Puig’s heroics. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">UNREAL!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShowDodgers?src=hash">#ShowDodgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/eByj8PHri1">pic.twitter.com/eByj8PHri1</a></p>— Alex Wood (@Awood45) <a href="https://twitter.com/Awood45/status/898050220470059008">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MOOD. <a href="https://t.co/LxWcprAgIK">pic.twitter.com/LxWcprAgIK</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/898063480468549632">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="vKzqNZ">The Dodgers have 10 walk-off wins this season, and are 30-4 in their last 34 home games.</p>
<p id="tRnrrR">The ninth rescued the Dodgers on what looked like a spoiled birthday effort by <span>Yu Darvish</span>, who allowed three solo home runs, three of the four hit by Chicago on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="2sHfvn">The four home runs allowed matched a season high for Dodgers pitching, done four other times. The Dodgers are 4-1 in such games.</p>
<p id="j92eNJ">Another night, another leadoff home run for Chicago, but this time it was <span>Leury Garcia</span> to launch the first pitch of the game over the fence. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Sox hit a HR on the 1st pitch of a game in consecutive contests for the 1st time in franchise history (STATS LLC, SABR and Elias).</p>— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) <a href="https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/898021949301030912">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="bB6Xqu">That wasn’t all against Darvish, who also allowed solo home runs to <span>Tony Delmonico</span> in the fourth inning and <span>Jose Abreu</span> in the sixth. The three home runs matched a season high for Darvish.</p>
<p id="Ulp3ph">After <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/11/16129906/yu-darvish-karl-spooner-dodgers-strikeouts-debut">striking out 10 batters in each of his first two starts as a Dodger</a>, Darvish didn’t record a strikeout on Wednesday until <span>Yoan Moncada</span> whiffed in the sixth inning, Darvish’s 24th batter of the game. </p>
<p id="xI2uJh">Darvish also whiffed his 25th batter of the game, but that was it. He left after six innings trailing 3-2, and his two strikeouts <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/UNghG">were the fewest in his 125 major league starts</a>. His previous low was three strikeouts, on May 27, 2012 against the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>.</p>
<p id="uWuz5y">Darvish left the game technically in the seventh after warming up to start the inning, sprinting off the mound after manager Dave Roberts and trainer Nate Lucero came to the mound.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Darvish left the game after the 6th with lower back tightness. Precautionary.</p>— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) <a href="https://twitter.com/alannarizzo/status/898053772445761536">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yu Darvish said Clayton Kershaw convinced him to exit after six innings tonight. “We need you really bad in six weeks,” Kershaw told him.</p>— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) <a href="https://twitter.com/pedromoura/status/898054762427432960">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="uXxuPZ">Delmonico added his second home run of the game, greeting left-hander <span>Tony Watson</span> in the eighth inning with solo shot to right field.</p>
<h3 id="rrr3hc">Leaning left</h3>
<p id="Z93OFO"><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning with a home run to center field, continuing his rampage against left-handed pitching. Hernandez has 10 home runs in 135 plate appearances against southpaws in 2017, tied with <span>Justin Turner</span> for the team lead. In MLB, only <span>Nolan Arenado</span> (12) and <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> (11) have more.</p>
<p id="s57H4A">Three of those 10 home runs for Hernandez have been hit against <span>Carlos Rodon</span> this season.</p>
<p id="KPLqVI">But <span>Rodon</span>, who allowed four home runs in a loss to the Dodgers on July 19, lasted into the eight inning on Wednesday, limiting the Dodgers to just two runs.</p>
<h3 id="FCJZyK">Up next</h3>
<p id="3s1Zct">Thursday is an off day for the Dodgers, who will travel to Detroit to open a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>, the start of a seven-game road trip that will also take them to Pittsburgh. The series opener on Friday, a 4:10 p.m. PT start, will see <span>Rich Hill</span> pitch for the Dodgers against <span>Jordan Zimmermann</span> for the Tigers</p>
<h3 id="2Fk944">Wednesday particulars</h3>
<p id="LMHovk"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Kiké Hernandez (11); Leury Garcia (8), Tony Delmonico 2 (3), Jose Abreu (22)</p>
<p id="siAkop"><strong>WP - </strong><span><strong>Ross Stripling</strong></span><strong> (2-4)</strong>: 1 IP, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="s47nPO"><strong>LP - Jake Petricka (1-1)</strong>: 0 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16159892/yasiel-puig-walk-off-dodgers-unreal-seriously-how-white-sox-recapEric Stephen2017-08-16T17:54:10-07:002017-08-16T17:54:10-07:00Kershaw throws simulated game, will throw another on Monday
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<img alt="Chicago White Sox v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F3DYqQWMc0WtxasQHWgreGvu-Ss=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56229369/832106606.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="hvj4x8"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> ace <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> threw two simulated innings at Dodger Stadium before Wednesday’s game, and the next step is another simulated game on Monday when the Dodgers are on the road.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Second inning of Kershaw. It's out of order. This is Segedin. First pitch, best contact of anyone: <a href="https://t.co/XX5YcP8cKZ">pic.twitter.com/XX5YcP8cKZ</a></p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/897952621092249600">August 16, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw will throw a three inning, 45-pitch sim game or go on a rehab assignment in five days.</p>— Joshua Thornton (@JoshuaThornton_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshuaThornton_/status/897960510636699649">August 16, 2017</a>
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<p id="eV0sh4">Class-A Rancho Cucamonga is of on Monday, and Triple-A Oklahoma City is in Colorado Springs. Thus...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clayton Kershaw said he will throw another sim game in five days.</p>— Joshua Thornton (@JoshuaThornton_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshuaThornton_/status/897973613768261632">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="QTcXs5">Kershaw has been sidelined for over three weeks with a lower back strain.</p>
<p id="TExrp8">Dodgers starting pitchers since Kershaw’s last start on July 23 are 10-0 with a 2.32 ERA in 19 games, with 109 strikeouts and 27 walks in 108⅔ innings.</p>
<h3 id="BFJcN6">Dayton, too</h3>
<p id="NIZaUl">In other Dodgers rehab news, relief pitcher <span>Grant Dayton</span> is close to beginning a rehab assignment of his own. Dayton is currently on the disabled list for a neck strain for the second time this season, and last pitched on July 24.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grant Dayton will begin rehab assignment while Dodgers are in Detroit. Five outings before he's activated.</p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/897961944526708737">August 16, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grant Dayton told me he's headed straight for AA Tulsa to begin his rehab. One week there, one week at AAA Oklahoma City. Back September 1.</p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/898074657982603264">August 17, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="N3NWeX">Nice shirt</h3>
<p id="whxYJb">Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and hitting coach Turner Ward have new shirts, celebrating their teacher-pupil relationship. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turner Ward's new shirt. <a href="https://t.co/w2olq1Bm7g">pic.twitter.com/w2olq1Bm7g</a></p>— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joe_Davis/status/897961764758839298">August 16, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Besties. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PuigYourFriend?src=hash">#PuigYourFriend</a> <a href="https://t.co/bDJ6W7jArV">pic.twitter.com/bDJ6W7jArV</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/897983740718137344">August 17, 2017</a>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16159750/clayton-kershaw-simulated-game-grant-dayton-rehab-dodgersEric Stephen2017-08-16T15:43:58-07:002017-08-16T15:43:58-07:00Bellinger gets rare day off
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<img alt="San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYD39oLa9Hv4dTAEdJ_zqpRwQuo=/160x0:3018x1905/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56227859/830909940.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="3lRY0a"><span>Cody Bellinger</span> gets a rare day off in Wednesday night’s series finale against the White Sox, his first game not starting since July 6.</p>
<p id="zN2pOp">Bellinger has played all 98 games since getting called up to the majors on April 25, including 95 starts. He started the last 31 games at first base, but on Wednesday he is sitting to open the game, with <span>Rob Segedin</span> starting at first.</p>
<h3 id="TeRqB9">Going for 6</h3>
<p id="LqAqMy">Teams have had a devil of a time beating the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> this season, and the last three games were all wins for Los Angeles thanks to the offense scoring six, six, and six runs.</p>
<p id="q02BTL">The Dodgers have scored at least six runs in 54 games this season, second only to the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>’ 57 such contests. When scoring six or more runs in 2017, the Dodgers are 51-3.</p>
<p id="UH5KnK">Those 54 games are already more than the Dodgers had in 2016, when they did so 49 times.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="43dQPm"><div data-anthem-component="table:591401"></div></div></div>
<p id="azpltE">The <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/ufAQL">franchise record for six-run games in a season is 77</a>, set by the 1953 Brooklyn team (them, again!). Since moving to Los Angeles the most such games is 64, set in 2006. The way things are going, that could fall by the end of August.</p>
<p id="5noMYX">On Wednesday, the Dodgers will try to reach six runs again versus the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>. They face <span>Carlos Rodon</span>, who allowed five runs against the Dodgers on July 19 in Chicago, a game won by the Dodgers, 9-1.</p>
<p id="vcUDvV">Rodon has only allowed nine home runs on the season, but four of those were hit by the Dodgers in that July 19 start.</p>
<p id="Wpx3l7">With the lefty on the mound, the Dodgers have their usual weapons in the lineup. <span>Kiké Hernandez</span> starts in left field, hitting .254/.365/.605 against southpaws this season, with 20 extra-base hits — nine home runs, nine doubles, two triples — in just 132 plate appearances.</p>
<p id="S5Hhfo"><span>Chris Taylor</span> is in center field, as he was on Friday against lefty <span>Clayton Richard</span>, presumably getting reps in at the position perhaps in preparation for when <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> returns, and Bellinger sees more time in left field.</p>
<p id="42eXSZ"><span>Austin Barnes</span> starts at catcher — he has started 29 of the Dodgers’ 39 games against lefties this season, including seven of the last eight — hitting .266/.389/.544 with seven doubles and five home runs in 95 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers in 2017.</p>
<p id="VDcC85">The Dodgers this season have had eight streaks of at least three games scoring six or more runs, topping out at seven consecutive games from June 17-23.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16156312/cody-bellinger-sits-dodgers-offense-6-runs-white-sox-lineupsEric Stephen2017-08-16T13:00:02-07:002017-08-16T13:00:02-07:00Darvish returns to Dodger Stadium
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<img alt="World Baseball Classic 2009 - Korea v Japan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b6WzrBm1gQQWYCHhK95rjOD5gY8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56222347/85573351.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="jqUYEi">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> conclude their homestand on Wednesday night against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, with <span>Yu Darvish</span> making his Dodger Stadium debut.</p>
<p id="dbnZ7n"><em>Major league</em> Dodger Stadium debut, that is.</p>
<p id="kt4QG5">Darvish never faced the Dodgers while with the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>, and thus never pitched against them in Los Angeles. But he <em>did</em> pitch for Japan in the 2009 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-baseball-classic">World Baseball Classic</a>, which had the championship round at Chavez Ravine.</p>
<p id="SQvIk4">Japan won the 2009 WBC, and Darvish was on the mound to finish off wins in both the semifinal and final at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="zavFMe">Darvish was just 22 years old then, three years before he would come to the United States, signing a six-year, $51 million deal with Texas, who paid a $51 million posting fee for his rights. </p>
<p id="ZJv5hs">Japan beat Team USA in the semifinal round in 2009, 9-4, with Darvish pitching the final inning. He struck out <span>David Wright</span> and <span>Adam Dunn</span> to close out the win. In the final against Korea -- future teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu recorded two outs in the eighth inning for the other side -- Darvish allowed the tying run in the ninth inning, but got the win when Japan rallied for two runs in the 10th.</p>
<div class="c-float-left"><div id="cF6giB"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiXLpEHzQms?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="37F9bz">Darvish remained in the game to close out the championship, and though he walked three in his two innings, he also struck out five. In his Dodger Stadium career, Darvish has allowed one run on two hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts.</p>
<p id="lYLeqt">Now 31 -- Wednesday is Darvish’s birthday -- the strikeouts are still coming for the Dodgers’ newest addition. The right-hander struck out 10 batters in each of his first two starts, joining former Brooklyn hurler Karl Spooner as the only Dodgers to do so in their first two starts for the team.</p>
<p id="5eLHv5">In the last two decades, the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/do5DI">only Dodgers pitcher to strike out 10 batters in three straight starts</a> is <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, who has eight such streaks, including one stretch of six consecutive starts.</p>
<p id="wFka3n">The last Dodgers pitcher not named Kershaw to whiff 10 batters in at least three straight starts was <span>Hideo Nomo</span>, who did so in four consecutive starts in 1995.</p>
<p id="a4NPh4">Darvish, the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/dXVqF">all-time MLB leader in strikeouts per nine innings (11.10)</a> among pitchers with at least 100 starts, has <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/Zzeh8">never struck out 10 batters in three consecutive starts in his career</a>.</p>
<h3 id="7OWn40">Southpaw stats</h3>
<p id="QQKLV3">With <span>Carlos Rodon</span> starting for the White Sox on Wednesday, let’s check in with the Dodgers’ numbers against left-handed pitchers in 2017.</p>
<p id="snmXij">The Dodgers, who were dead last against southpaws in the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and wRC+ in 2016, have fared much better this season. This year, they are hitting .258/.348/.465 against lefties, leading the majors in home runs (56), third in wRC+ (115), fourth in wOBA (.347), and fifth in OPS (.813).</p>
<p id="iPtQt2">Even with Friday’s loss to the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, in a game started by <span>Clayton Richard</span> — he left that game trailing -- the Dodgers are 28-11 in games started against them by lefties in 2017, the best record in baseball. They have won 25 of their last 29 games facing a southpaw starter.</p>
<p id="aBvHjo">One of those victims was Rodon, who on July 19 in Chicago allowed five runs in 3⅔ innings to the Dodgers. The long ball was the culprit on that night, with <span>Kiké Hernandez</span> hitting two, along with <span>Corey Seager</span> and <span>Chris Taylor</span> also going deep against Rodon.</p>
<h3 id="I99E2V">Game info</h3>
<p id="l0JYs9">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="eAJvO7">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/16/16155440/yu-darvish-dodger-stadium-strikeouts-wbc-white-sox-previewEric Stephen2017-08-14T15:00:02-07:002017-08-14T15:00:02-07:00Dodgers-White Sox probable pitchers
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<img alt="MLB: Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RDigXBmy-WbNiECLzXXt0Q_UuB4=/0x0:4037x2691/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56166481/usa_today_10188039.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Carlos Rodon starts Wednesday for the White Sox.<br> | Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="0MRpDO">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> welcome the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> to town for a brief two-game series beginning Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, the reciprocal interleague visit to their two games in Chicago on July 18-19.</p>
<p id="GcEljG">Here is a look at the schedule and pitching matchups for this series in Los Angeles, the culmination of a five-game homestand for the Dodgers.</p>
<h3 id="LKu0Ve">Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="ON2vpZ"><span>Alex Wood</span> has allowed three runs in 12 innings over his two August starts, both wins. Since the All-Star break, Wood’s ground ball rate is 45.9 percent in five starts compared to 63.5 percent in 80⅔ innings before the midsummer classic.</p>
<p id="8FXqMy"><span>Miguel Gonzalez</span>, a San Fernando High School grad, had one bad start in his last five — allowing seven runs while recording five outs — but also has four quality starts during that span, including allowing one run in eight innings to beat the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> last Wednesday.</p>
<aside id="hnEHW9"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers-White Sox series snapshot","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/14/16139058/dodgers-white-sox-statistics-schedule"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="8nkoKL">Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="Kv52M1"><span>Yu Darvish</span>, with two wins and 20 strikeouts under his belt in his first two starts with the Dodgers, makes his Dodger Stadium debut on Wednesday night. The right-hander hasn’t faced the White Sox since 2013.</p>
<p id="q5okzY"><span>Carlos Rodon</span>, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, has 24 strikeouts and just two walks in his last three starts. The southpaw has totaled 22⅓ innings during that span, including at least 6⅔ innings in all three starts, with no more than two runs allowed in any of the three outings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/14/16139018/dodgers-white-sox-schedule-probable-pitchersEric Stephen2017-08-14T14:59:02-07:002017-08-14T14:59:02-07:00Dodgers-White Sox series snapshot
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago White Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dZR132NyBci5G5paMCdg2eANcLY=/0x0:2854x1903/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56180663/819086980.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Banks/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="GJ1QuX">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> meet for the second time in 2017, with a two-game set that marks Chicago’s first visit to Dodger Stadium since 2014. Here is a broad overview look at both teams heading into the interleague matchup in Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="GDjrqp">Teams: Dodgers (83-34) vs. White Sox (45-70)</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="yGs5Oz"><div data-anthem-component="table:585444"></div></div></div>
<p id="UnqoJM">Split records: Dodgers 49-14 at home, White Sox 20-39 on road</p>
<p id="5HSNAt">Run differential: Dodgers +208 (1st in MLB), White Sox -82 (26th in MLB)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 5.11 per game (5th), White Sox 4.34 (24th)</p>
<p id="AbDwxH">OPS+: Dodgers 108 (2nd), White Sox 95 (18th)</p>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+ (non-pitchers): Dodgers 119 (2nd), White Sox 92 (22nd)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.33 (1st), White Sox 5.05 (22nd)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 134 (1st), White Sox 92 (22nd)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 8-2, White Sox 4-6</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2017 interleague record: Dodgers 12-3, White Sox 4-11</p>
<p id="xXqiza">Last meeting: July 18-19 (2-0 LA in Chicago)</p>
<p id="aSNyst">All-time matchups: 14-9 White Sox (7-5 Sox in LA)</p>
<p id="kil4tY">White Sox SB Nation site: <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">South Side Sox</a></p>
<h3 id="xdThOZ">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="w7dqOl"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/14/16139018/dodgers-white-sox-schedule-probable-pitchers"><em>More details</em></a></p>
<p id="cwvOSe">Tuesday: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. <span>Miguel Gonzalez</span><br>Wednesday: <span>Yu Darvish</span> vs. <span>Carlos Rodon</span> (L)</p>
<h3 id="szqO30">Series schedule</h3>
<p id="NrAFUh">Tuesday: 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)<br>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/14/16139058/dodgers-white-sox-statistics-scheduleEric Stephen