True Blue LA - April 15: Dodgers 7, Rockies 5Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2021-04-15T23:45:58-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/221501932021-04-15T23:45:58-07:002021-04-15T23:45:58-07:00David Price gets his first save in 13 seasons
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<img alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YQscRpzUrifs5Hso3qD7fEMtCX4=/0x0:8001x5334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69135393/usa_today_15904054.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dave Roberts: “You don’t script many things in baseball, but this couldn’t have been scripted any better for him.”</p> <p id="jrkfWq"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> manager Dave Roberts planned to stay away from his highest-leverage relievers in Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies, so just before the game he told the senior member of the bullpen, David Price, that he would be the closer if the team led in the ninth inning.</p>
<p id="CAWSO3">“I can’t repeat what I said, but I was excited for it,” Price said after the game. “Everything kind of unfolded really well in that game, and it was cool to be a part of.”</p>
<p id="cPjG7l">It wasn’t easy, with the first two batters reaching base on singles. But Price recovered with a pair of strikeouts, hitting 94.3 mph on his two-seam fastball in closing out the 7-5 victory. Price said his adrenalin Thursday was the highest of his four outings, the first three of which he entered with leads of six, eight, and seven runs.</p>
<p id="axbTCf">It also came on a day <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386508/mookie-betts-david-price-dave-roberts-donate-salary-players-alliance-jackie-robinson-day">in which Price donated his game salary — over $172,000 — to The Players Alliance</a>, saying, “I felt it was the right thing to do.”</p>
<p id="aNatSp">“To see David finish it off on Jackie Robinson Day, I think capped a really good night off,” manager Dave Roberts said. “On so many levels, it’s positive. There’s not a guy in that clubhouse that doesn’t respect David. They were pulling for him, so obviously this is a special day for him. </p>
<p id="kbUJSI">“You don’t script many things in baseball, but this couldn’t have been scripted any better for him. I’m just excited for him because he’s done everything we’ve asked, and will continue to do so.”</p>
<p id="aSHyIr">“If we can put him out there in spots like that — and he’s a guy that’s done it for a lot of years now — we’re gonna rely on him heavily,” said Max Muncy, whose seventh-inning homer gave the Dodgers the lead. “So it’s nice to see that.”</p>
<p id="jkYpSn">It was Price’s second career save, and the first one he’ll keep the ball from, at least until he sends this one to his parents, who likely missed this game live in the Eastern time zone. In Game 7 of the ALCS in 2008, which Price saved to send Andrew Friedman’s Rays to their first <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>, Akinori Iwamura stepped on second base for the final out, and put that baseball in his back pocket.</p>
<p id="cN3oHD">Price’s willingness to pitch in any role has earned him universal praise, but prior to this series he hadn’t pitched in a week. Now he’s pitched twice in three days, creating another ancillary benefit in the process.</p>
<p id="BTdUXs">After getting the front-end benefit of Price pitching effectively in two of three games against the Rockies, the Dodgers are set up well on the back end, too. They head into a showdown series against the Padres in San Diego with their top four relievers — Kenley Jansen, Corey Knebel, Blake Treinen, and Victor Gonzalez — each having pitched once in the last four days, so they are well rested for the weekend.</p>
<p id="VEo3yC">“We have a very stout bullpen, especially with the way that Kenley, Knebel, and Blake are throwing the baseball, so I’m fine with where I’m at in the bullpen with my role,” Price said. “Those guys have earned the spots they have out there, and I just want to kind of earn my keep in that bullpen.”</p>
<h3 id="XCb9Od">Notes</h3>
<p id="ikyh4Q">AJ Pollock felt tightness in his left groin while beating out an infield single in the fourth inning, and was removed for a pinch runner after a single in the seventh as a precaution. He’s day to day. “We think we got ahead of it,” Roberts said. “Once he wakes up, gets to the ballpark, and gets some treatment, we’ll know more.”</p>
<p id="BNrybp">Gavin Lux, who was scratched from Thursday’s lineup with right wrist soreness, pinch ran for Pollock, but did not stay in the game to field, or potentially later hit. He’s also day to day.</p>
<p id="NcWyW6">Much like last year, with COVID-19 protocols, Dodgers players will avoid commercial air travel whenever possible. So Brusdar Graterol, Sheldon Neuse, Keibert Ruiz, and DJ Peters will drive from Camelback Ranch in Arizona to join the team in San Diego as part of the taxi squad.</p>
<h3 id="drIP1L">Up next</h3>
<p id="23jRmI">The Dodgers are off to San Diego to battle the Padres, with Walker Buehler getting the ball on Friday night (7:10 p.m.; SportsNet LA, MLB Network), facing off against Ryan Weathers making his first major league start.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22387102/david-price-save-bullpen-role-dodgersEric Stephen2021-04-15T22:16:34-07:002021-04-15T22:16:34-07:00Turner, Muncy give Dodgers leads, Price saves it to sweep Rockies
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<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LA was 6-0 on the homestand</p> <p id="UFe5Kz">Twice the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> trailed by a pair of runs on Thursday night, and twice they got three-run home runs, one from each of their hottest hitters. It was Max Muncy’s three-run shot in the seventh that game LA the lead for good in a 7-5 win over the Rockies to complete the three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="Q05ano">The Dodgers have swept the Rockies in five of their last seven series at home, winning 20 of their last 23 matchups against Colorado at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="QFjF4M">Trailing 5-3 in the seventh, a pair of walks brought Muncy to the plate with two outs, against reliever Yency Almonte. Muncy slammed a 2-0 changeup 405 feet into the right field pavilion.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Max factor. <a href="https://t.co/m9K3knWuVx">pic.twitter.com/m9K3knWuVx</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1382918478424797189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2021</a>
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<p id="jAZj0K">“Max has gotten a lot of big hits in his career,” Dave Roberts said. “And that was another big one.”</p>
<p id="Lqsm8a">Muncy’s blast gave the Dodgers the lead, but didn’t end the scoring in the inning. Two singles and a walk against Tyler Kinney loaded the bases, then a wild pitch by Carlos Estevez brought in an insurance run.</p>
<p id="fgiG2e">The Dodgers made it hold up thanks to some unheralded members of the bullpen on what was pretty clearly a night of rest for the usual suspects. Dennis Santana pitched a perfect eighth inning on seven pitches, then David Price entered in the ninth for his second game in three nights after a week without pitching.</p>
<p id="I6yQ9r">Price allowed singles to his first two batters faced in the ninth, then fell behind 2-0 to pinch-hitter Trevor Story before striking him out. Then Price struck out Garrett Hampson and got Raimel Tapia to ground out to end it, picking up his second major league save, and his first since Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS.</p>
<h3 id="uPAs2h">To err is human</h3>
<p id="Shma2d">Julio Urías pounded the zone all night, throwing 71 of his 90 pitches for strikes, but was pounded in return, with eight hard-hit balls by the Rockies against him, measured by Statcast as balls with an exit velocity of at least 95 mph. Two of those left the park, but both home runs — by Ryan McMahon and Hampson — were solo shots.</p>
<p id="VKcST9">The Rockies found other ways to score, too, including with a little help. After three straight hits against Urías allowed the tying run to score in the sixth, Yonathan Daza dumped a single to right field in front of Zach McKinstry, who was originally going to play second base on Thursday. As McKinstry bobbled the ball, C.J. Cron scored the go-ahead run, then after catching the throw into the infield, shortstop Chris Taylor, who was originally penciled in center field, threw a few feet about Will Smith’s head, allowing an insurance run to score.</p>
<h3 id="qCRUNz">Gomber pile (of hits)</h3>
<p id="zFZUpU">Justin Turner continued his unprecedented April power barrage, giving the Dodgers the lead with a three-run home run in the third inning, this time homering to a nacho-less area beyond the center field wall.</p>
<p id="g53PnB">Turner also doubled against the left field wall in the fifth inning, one of three hits he had against Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber. Turner walked twice against Gomber on April 4 in Denver, reaching base all five times against him this season. Dating back to 2018, when Gomber was in St. Louis, Turner has reached base nine times in 10 plate appearances against the left-hander, with three doubles and Thursday’s homer, hitting .857/.900/1.714 against him.</p>
<p id="Tq8nNX">Unfortunately for the Dodgers, they only had three <em>other</em> hits in six innings against Gomber, who struck out seven.</p>
<h3 id="0BLQHK">Thursday particulars</h3>
<p id="JU7Bha"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Justin Turner (4), Max Muncy (3); Ryan McMahon (6), Garrett Hampson (1)</p>
<p id="m5EbB2"><strong>WP — Jimmy Nelson (1-1)</strong>: 1 IP, zeroes</p>
<p id="JbWAIB"><strong>LP — Yency Almonte (1-1)</strong>: IP, 1 hit, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="FbFHdC"><strong>Sv — David Price (1)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386949/max-muncy-justin-turner-home-runs-david-price-dodgers-rockies-recapEric Stephen2021-04-15T18:54:00-07:002021-04-15T18:54:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Rockies Game VII chat
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<figcaption>Number 42 mowed into center field at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021, Jackie Robinson Day. | <em>Photo: Eric Stephen | True Blue LA</em></figcaption>
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<p>Urías vs. Gomber in a battle of lefties</p> <p id="6qT611">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> try for their second sweep in as many home series on Thursday night, hosting the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, where Colorado has lost 19 of its last 22 games.</p>
<h3 id="p8nPju">Pregame reading</h3>
<aside id="8GBCVy"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The expected and unexpected of the Dodgers offense","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22385819/dodgers-offense-expected-unexpected-rockies-preview"},{"title":"Kenley Jansen says he’ll be pitching angry this season","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22385159/kenley-jansen-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news"},{"title":"Bellinger unlikely for Padres series, Lux scratched Thursday with wrist soreness","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386661/cody-bellinger-fernando-tatis-jr-gavin-lux-dodgers-rockies-padres"},{"title":"Betts, Price, Roberts donate game salary to The Players Alliance","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386508/mookie-betts-david-price-dave-roberts-donate-salary-players-alliance-jackie-robinson-day"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="BMckEm">Game info</h3>
<ul>
<li id="qbtcOo">Teams: Dodgers vs. Rockies</li>
<li id="xfxWtU">Location: Dodger Stadium</li>
<li id="FQHJlO">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="pe2tOc">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)</li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386051/dodgers-rockies-game-chatEric Stephen2021-04-15T17:44:58-07:002021-04-15T17:44:58-07:00Bellinger unlikely for Padres series, Lux scratched Thursday with wrist soreness
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<img alt="MLB: SEP 04 Rockies at Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MeW_Go8sclGEETVQ9cJdGjLlrHc=/0x0:4514x3009/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69134394/1228350296.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Wrist soreness for Lux</p> <p id="tO1r6F">As the weekend showdown between the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and Padres looms, it appears only one of the two stars on the injured list might play in the series.</p>
<p id="PbMSCH">San Diego expects shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who missed the last nine games with subluxation of his left shoulder, to be activated, perhaps as early as Friday. Padres manager Jayce Tingler told reporters Thursday, “We’re optimistic that he has a good chance to be ready to play tomorrow,” <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1382787934521282560">per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN</a>, echoing a sentiment prevalent over the last week, <a href="https://twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/status/1382792635027501057">per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune</a>.</p>
<p id="21uT0N">Cody Bellinger, who on Thursday is missing his eighth straight game with a left calf contusion after getting spiked on April 5, did some running in the pool on Thursday, and is expected to ramp up the aggression soon. Bellinger is technically eligible to be activated from the injured list on Friday, but it is unlikely he will be available for any of the three games in San Diego.</p>
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<p id="GqFpnj">“I’m not going to say zero [chance], but it’s close to that number,” manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game.</p>
<p id="aW5Jhl">Mookie Betts, who missed four games with lower back stiffness before returning to play the last two, gets a day off for the Dodgers, as does shortstop Corey Seager, both getting scheduled rest before the weekend series against the Padres.</p>
<p id="lftvOB">Gavin Lux was a late scratch with right wrist soreness. Lux was originally slated to start at shortstop, but with him out of the lineup several Dodgers played musical chairs to find new positions. Edwin Ríos gets the start at first base, which moved Max Muncy to second base (his first defensive start off first base this season), Zach McKinstry from second base to right field, Luke Raley from right field to left field, AJ Pollock from left field to center field, and Chris Taylor from center field to second base.</p>
<p id="Pc0vIr">Brusdar Graterol is expected to pitch for the Dodgers in an alternate training site game in Arizona on Thursday night, then join the Dodgers in San Diego as part of their taxi squad. If and when he could be activated from the injured list is yet to be determined.</p>
<p id="dVFp9Y">The Rockies, meanwhile, are sitting shortstop Trevor Story and right fielder Charlie Blackmon in Thursday’s series finale. Alan Trejo, who was born in Los Angeles and is 0-for-4 in his first four games as a reserve, makes his first major league start at shortstop.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386661/cody-bellinger-fernando-tatis-jr-gavin-lux-dodgers-rockies-padresEric Stephen2021-04-15T16:44:21-07:002021-04-15T16:44:21-07:00Betts, Price, Roberts donate game salary to The Players Alliance
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<figcaption>Dodgers gather at the Jackie Robinson statue in the center field plaza at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021. | <em>Photo from </em><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1382834296180727808" target="_blank"><em>Dodgers on Twitter</em></a></figcaption>
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<p>Roberts also spoke to Dodgers players and staff at Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium</p> <p id="9TFubK"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> players Mookie Betts and David Price, as well as manager Dave Roberts, will donate their Thursday game salary to The Players Alliance, a non-profit formed by current and former major league players to improve Black representation in baseball.</p>
<p id="eWvpw5">Betts and Price are two of over 250 major league players donating their salary on Jackie Robinson Day, along with others throughout the game, like Roberts and <a href="https://twitter.com/gabekapler/status/1382728003994615810">Giants manager Gabe Kapler</a>, to name a few. Price is also <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/9/22371248/dodgers-world-series-championship-rings">auctioning off his 2020 championship ring and donating to The Players Alliance</a>.</p>
<p id="7iTXX0">The entire Dodgers team, in full uniform, and several staff members gathered at the Jackie Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium before Thursday’s game. Dave Roberts said he’d like to have this be an annual tradition. John Hartung of SportsNet LA <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/lajohnhartung/2552709519022319149/?hl=en">shared some video of the event on Instagram</a>.</p>
<div id="edtII1">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The entire <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> team gathered at the Jackie Robinson statue before their game tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jackie42?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jackie42</a> <a href="https://t.co/qGqZ5Tyihw">pic.twitter.com/qGqZ5Tyihw</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1382832115100835843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2021</a>
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<p id="CfVkON">“I think we all know Jackie Robinson the name, the 42 in every ballpark, but we were just trying to give context on his life,” Roberts explained. “His legacy, and what he meant, not only to people of color, in baseball, outside of baseball. Being treated fairly, being respected, not always being liked, but being determined in doing and saying and fighting for what’s right.”</p>
<p id="rJSbdD">Earlier Thursday, Betts <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsTQGhFL_0/">quoted Robinson in an Instagram post</a> featuring a picture of Betts at Robinson’s statue: “The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.” </p>
<p id="8CPhYn">Last year, with Jackie Robinson Day observed across MLB on August 28, The Players Alliance raised over $1 million. With over 250 players donating their salary from Thursday, that total will be increased this year. Major league players are paid based on a 186-day season, so one day of Price’s $32 million salary equates to roughly $172,043, and Betts’ $14.5 million this year comes out to approximately $77,957 per day.</p>
<p id="vHPv69">“One of the things that makes The Players Alliance so special is that it’s powered by the players, who give back with both their time and money,” said Players Alliance president and former Dodgers player Curtis Granderson. “Having Mookie and David support our Breaking Barriers campaign with the donation of their full game-day pay will hugely support our mission and enable increased opportunities. I have no doubt that Jackie would be proud of our efforts to keep building on his legacy of breaking barriers.”</p>
<p id="k73Yze">Part of the Breaking Barriers campaign is a financial commitment to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, setting up a college scolarship fund beginning with the fall class of 2021. Other funds raised Thursday will go toward the Gear for Good, which distributes baseball equipment, as well as The Players Alliance mentorship, scholarship, and access programs.</p>
<p id="2IxNyw">“I think the Players Alliance is doing a lot of good for young kids of color. It’s really good to see that players have skin in the game as far as sweat equity and trying to execute, to give back,” Roberts said. “If me and my wife can do our part to help that, I think that’s a good thing.”</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22386508/mookie-betts-david-price-dave-roberts-donate-salary-players-alliance-jackie-robinson-dayEric Stephen2021-04-15T11:37:00-07:002021-04-15T11:37:00-07:00The expected and unexpected of the Dodgers offense
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1jOBxFhQU6TauQ0CFVqWdpaDGpQ=/0x0:2800x1867/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69132214/usa_today_15818361.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dodgers rank 3rd in MLB in runs per game (5.67) despite some stars missing time.</p> <p id="IqAeM5">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were expected to be very good, and through 12 games they have been just that, to the tune of their best start to a season in 16 years. The offense is humming along nicely despite facing the only real adversity this team has seen through the first two weeks.</p>
<p id="8Hgiv0">Last year the Dodgers led the majors in runs scored and home runs, so it’s no surprise that through 12 games they are hitting .285/.380/.493 with an MLB-best 139 wRC+ as a team. But that they’ve done it with Cody Bellinger playing only four games and Mookie Betts only seven to date is notable.</p>
<p id="V8LpnM">They could have Bellinger back at some point this weekend in San Diego, for the first of their six showdown series against the Padres, though <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/14/22384370/los-angeles-dodgers-cody-bellinger-mlb-news">manager Dave Roberts didn’t want to commit to a timetable for when Bellinger’s calf would be ready just yet</a>.</p>
<p id="rlLpbV">How the Dodgers have kept plugging along has been a combination of some expected things and some unexpected things.</p>
<p id="7VtkBM">Corey Seager is tied for the National League lead in doubles, just as he did in 2019. That just feels right, especially for someone who has averaged 43 doubles per 162 games in his career and has <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/jr2Tl">two of the twelve 40-double seasons in Los Angeles Dodgers history</a>.</p>
<p id="kKBJTg">Max Muncy leads the NL in on-base percentage (.520), and his 11 walks are one off the major league lead, looking very much like the hitter who walked more times in one postseason than anybody but Barry Bonds. Muncy has averaged 102 walks per 162 games since joining the Dodgers. This is normal for him. Maybe not “OBP starting with a five” normal, but Muncy is going to reach base.</p>
<p id="HVvXc7">The Dodgers have a 12.1-percent walk rate as a team, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=8,d">second in the majors</a> (the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> are at 12.2 percent). Muncy is at 22 percent.</p>
<p id="zjzOcG">In the unexpected pile is Zach McKinstry, who has filled in quite nicely in the absence of Bellinger and Betts in the outfield, and at the moment is tied for the team lead in both home runs (three) and RBI (11).</p>
<p id="yRAiSU">Who McKinstry is tied with is a little surprising, but only because of timing. Justin Turner has been <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2014-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=18,d">one of the most productive hitters in baseball since joining the Dodgers</a>. He just usually gets off to a slower start in the power department. Entering this season, Turner had three career home runs in 480 plate appearances before May 1, slugging .378, well below his .482 collective slugging percentage for all other months.</p>
<p id="da7KeA">But this April, with 15 games still remaining in the month, Turner already has three home runs in 46 plate appearances, slugging .732. One of those homers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/14/22385109/los-angeles-dodgers-dustin-may-recap-mlb-kenley-jansen-justin-turner">landed in some cheese on Wednesday night</a>. This is nacho ordinary April for Turner.</p>
<p id="RDYsVw">“I’m not trying to hit a bunch of homers,” Turner said, smiling. “I’m just trying to take good at-bats, hit balls hard somewhere, and a couple of them have gone over the fence already. That’s nice.”</p>
<p id="3ECbFu">That Dodgers offense will try to back Julio Urías on Thursday night, as the Dodgers try to sweep the Rockies for the fifth time in Colorado’s last seven series in Los Angeles.</p>
<h3 id="BMckEm">Game info</h3>
<ul>
<li id="qbtcOo">Teams: Dodgers vs. Rockies</li>
<li id="xfxWtU">Location: Dodger Stadium</li>
<li id="FQHJlO">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="pe2tOc">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)</li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/15/22385819/dodgers-offense-expected-unexpected-rockies-previewEric Stephen2021-04-12T13:15:07-07:002021-04-12T13:15:07-07:00Series preview: Dodgers look to extend winning streak versus Colorado
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<figcaption>Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers have won three in a row </p> <p id="vAeiKX">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> had a fantastic opening weekend at Dodger Stadium as they swept a three-game series with the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. Now sitting at a league-best 8-2 on the season, the Dodgers will welcome the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com">Colorado Rockies</a> to town for a three-game series. This will be a familiar opponent, as four of LA’s 10 games this season have been against the Rockies. </p>
<h3 id="jobi0o">Tuesday: Trevor Bauer (1-0, 4.15 ERA) vs. Antonio Senzatela (1-1, 5.56 ERA)</h3>
<p id="hgVsLk">The ERA is very misleading, because Trevor Bauer has been excellent so far through two starts with the Dodgers. We all know how his first outing went, as he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Coors Field and then allowed four runs. His last outing at Oakland went a lot smoother, as he allowed two runs in 6 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of work. Bauer has struck out 10 in both outings, putting his SO/9 number at a career-high 13.8. In addition, he’s barely issuing any hits or walks as his WHIP is only 0.69. </p>
<p id="bMnHM3">After a disastrous first start of the season against the Dodgers, Antonio Senzatela had a fantastic second start last week. Against LA, the righty allowed seven runs on nine hits. Last week against the D-Backs he threw eight scoreless innings while allowing only four hits, arguably the best start of his entire career. This will be his sixth career start at Dodger Stadium, a place he hasn’t found much success. He owns a career 6.84 ERA in LA, his worst of any stadium with at least three starts. </p>
<h3 id="sixjql">Wednesday: Dustin May (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Jon Gray (1-0, 1.54 ERA)</h3>
<p id="wM8dgX">Dustin May looks to build off an incredible start to his 2021 campaign. In his first start of the season, May threw six scoreless innings in Oakland while striking out eight, which tied a career-high. He’ll make his first start of the season at Dodger Stadium, a place he’s pitched very well at throughout his young career. In 11 games in LA, May owns a 2.38 ERA. </p>
<p id="EymSqg">Though early in the season, Jon Gray has been pitching like one of the best starters in the National League. In his first outing of the year against LA he tossed five innings, striking out seven and allowing only one run. Then in his second start against Arizona he allowed one run in 6 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings while striking out five. Much like Senzatela, Gray has struggled in his career at Dodger Stadium. In six career starts there, he owns a 6.84 ERA. </p>
<h3 id="gQ8z18">Thursday: Julio Urias (2-0, 2.84 ERA) vs. Austin Gomber (0-2, 2.89 ERA)</h3>
<p id="zRSeM8">Julio Urias kicked off his season with a fantastic start in Colorado. He threw seven innings of one-run ball for his longest outing of his career. Things didn’t go as smoothly in his last start against the Nationals. He went 5 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings and allowed three runs on nine hits with only three strikeouts. </p>
<p id="OipaQh">Austin Gomber makes his third start of the season, and hopefully for him his second opportunity against LA will go a lot better. In his first outing against the Dodgers he lasted only three innings and issued <em>seven</em> walks. He allowed three runs to score, but only allowed one hit. Gomber also allowed only one hit in his last outing, but he did issue four walks. It’s been a strange season for the lefty. In 9 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of action he’s allowed only two hits, but has allowed 11 runners to reach base via the walk. </p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/12/22380371/series-preview-dodgers-look-to-extend-winning-streak-versus-coloradoBlake Harris