True Blue LA - May 26: Astros 5, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2021-05-26T19:47:20-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/222209602021-05-26T19:47:20-07:002021-05-26T19:47:20-07:00Home runs doom Dodgers in streak-snapping loss to Astros
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E3Opzc_jQh9Y0ksPyH1FjUd4-Ek=/0x0:4578x3052/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69348865/usa_today_16153823.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LA’s win streak halted at 8 games</p> <p id="gxUMhE">Errant throws annoyed the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Wednesday night, but home runs killed them in a 5-2 loss to the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston, snapping an eight-game winning streak.</p>
<p id="vch5Q7">Trevor Bauer took the loss — <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22455361/trevor-bauer-astros-dodgers-uniforms-road-trip-finale">his first in 10 starts against Houston</a> — though he was mostly fine, allowing only two solo home runs in his six innings. But that Bauer didn’t last longer was partially due to walking a season-high four for the third time in five May starts. Three of those walks came in the first inning, when Bauer threw 37 pitches, helping his odometer get to 100 through six innings.</p>
<p id="BkxT4X">Luis García, the Astros rookie starter, also needed 100 pitches to get through six, also thanks to an inning that simply got away from him. He needed 39 pitches to get through the third inning, a rally that was aided by a two-out error by García to extend things.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the 108th run the Dodgers have scored this season with two outs, most in MLB.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/bfUzOOekEg">pic.twitter.com/bfUzOOekEg</a></p>— Inside Edge (@IE_MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/IE_MLB/status/1397723324256440321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2021</a>
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<p id="fPHwcW">Max Muncy singled home one run, but the Dodgers, like the Astros in the first, left the bases loaded, unable to add to the carnage. </p>
<p id="XDKn99">The run was the 108th scored this season by the Dodgers with two outs, <a href="https://twitter.com/IE_MLB/status/1397723324256440321">most in the majors</a>.</p>
<p id="NKWlw8">Nate Jones was the first call out of the bullpen, down a run — what Dave Roberts calls a “minus game,” and a day before the Dodgers are planning a bullpen game — but his second outing with the Dodgers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/23/22449215/nate-jones-four-seam-fastball-dodgers-debut">wasn’t as productive as his first</a>.</p>
<p id="sJ5Ytu">After the wildness from Bauer, the throws that were off in the seventh inning came from Dodgers fielders. First by Gavin Lux, who rushed a throw with catcher Martin Maldonado running, causing it to sail into the dugout. Then with Maldonado trying to score from second on a single to right field, Mookie Betts made a poor throw home that with any accuracy would have nailed Maldonado. Instead, a short hop eluded Will Smith and the Astros widened their lead to 3-1.</p>
<p id="GsmkhC">But before the Dodgers could even stew over the poor defense that cost them a run, Aledmys Díaz jumped on a first-pitch two-seamer from Jones, lining it into the Crawford Boxes for a two-run shot, making it all moot.</p>
<h3 id="D8f5aW">All Betts are off</h3>
<p id="2XSsPS">Betts was hitless in four at-bats in Wednesday’s game, though he did reach on a fielding error by Luis García in the third that helped extend the inning. On the season, Betts is hitting just .247/.359/.432, which in this offensive environment still garners a 124 wRC+. That’s well above average, but would be the worst since 2017 for Betts, who owns a career 135 wRC+.</p>
<p id="vu7BsM">He <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/13/22381992/mookie-betts-dodgers-lineup">missed four games in April with back soreness</a>, and was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/23/22450245/jimmy-nelson-injured-list-right-forearm-inflammation-mookie-betts-left-shoulder-soreness">held out for two games last weekend with left shoulder soreness</a>, both times coupled with scheduled team off days to allow Betts extra rest. Meeting with reporters on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, Betts wasn’t making any excuses.</p>
<p id="qXyjA4">From <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2021/05/26/dodgers-mookie-betts-on-his-slow-start-theres-no-excuses-im-just-not-playing-well/">Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="f3BnEG"><em>Betts denies injuries are the explanation. He says the back injury that sidelined him for four games in April has gone away. The shoulder soreness that caused Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to scratch Betts from the lineup Sunday had bothered him for about two weeks but “wasn’t that big of a deal … No reason for my performance.” The back and shoulder issues are “just the nicks and bruises that kind of go on throughout the season that you just play through.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="n5CzxW">Dave Roberts has mentioned at times this season that Betts was working on things mechanically with his swing. On Wednesday, Betts elaborated, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/liveblog/dodgers-vs-houston-astros-live-updates-news-odds-score?p=mookie-betts-i-dont-have-any-excuses-for-offensive-dropoff">per Jorge Castillo at the Los Angeles Times</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="JVZ4cp"><em>“It’s kind of like a moving target right now,” Betts said. “Trying to take it in the air and then I start popping it up too much. And then I [try] to get it lower and I start hitting it on the ground too much. I don’t have an answer.”</em></p></blockquote>
<h3 id="Fp6PmT">Wednesday particulars</h3>
<p id="8j6UF6"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Sheldon Neuse (3); Jose Altuve (6), Carlos Correa (7), Aledmys Díaz (2)</p>
<p id="D33h3R"><strong>WP — Luis García (3-3)</strong>: 6 IP, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p id="MQlI6H"><strong>LP — Trevor Bauer (5-3)</strong>: 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts</p>
<p id="0bHJf7"><strong>Sv — Bryan Abreu (1)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 walks, 1 strikeout</p>
<h3 id="uRoVXN">Up next</h3>
<p id="eFGNpl">The Dodgers start a four-game series against the Giants on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium (7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network). It’s a bullpen game for the Dodgers — please, try to contain your excitement — while the Giants haven’t yet announced their starting pitchers for the series.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22455849/astros-home-runs-dodgers-offense-siesta-bad-throws-recapEric Stephen2021-05-26T16:21:00-07:002021-05-26T16:21:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Astros Game II chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Houston Astros" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9eVTkTYx4uGZXpwmRyzyScj4VQ8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69348355/1320079659.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Last day of the road trip</p> <p id="r4ZCO9">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> try for a perfect road trip and a nine-game win streak, with Trevor Bauer on the mound facing Luis García and the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> in Houston.</p>
<p id="qxgmTk">Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was <a href="https://twitter.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1397662109832388608">scratched with right wrist soreness</a>, and Taylor Jones will DH for the Astros instead.</p>
<h3 id="orhGuV">Pregame reading</h3>
<aside id="X5nBBM"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bauer starts finale, plus road uniform minutiae ","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22455361/trevor-bauer-astros-dodgers-uniforms-road-trip-finale"},{"title":"Wilkerson flirts with no-no, Bellinger & McKinstry closer to return","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22453187/dodgers-minors-aaron-wilkerson-cody-bellinger-zach-mckinstry-diego-cartaya"},{"title":"Vincent Price really liked hot dogs","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22452520/vincent-price-hot-dogs-dodger-stadium"}]}'></div></aside><div id="SNEfZy"><div data-anthem-component="table:10520307"></div></div>
<h3 id="BvoOnb">Game info</h3>
<p id="mnwvMf">Teams: Dodgers (30-18) at Astros (26-22)</p>
<p id="pxf5D2">Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston</p>
<p id="OXJyNw">Time: 4:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="gXxBsD">TV: SportsNet LA, ESPN (out of market)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22455563/dodgers-astros-game-threadEric Stephen2021-05-26T12:49:40-07:002021-05-26T12:49:40-07:00Bauer starts finale, plus road uniform minutiae
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wd6_CJBbyRnZeJHkXlFc62FFMjk=/0x357:3300x2557/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69347114/1319572351.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LA tries for 9th straight win, Bauer tries for 9th straight win vs. Houston</p> <p id="N9FC27">Trevor Bauer finishes off what so far has been a perfect road trip for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Wednesday night in Houston, putting his perfect career record against the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> on the line.</p>
<p id="s15eNO">Nine times Bauer has started against the Astros, all with Cleveland from 2014-19. Nine times his team won. Bauer himself is 8-0 with a 2.90 ERA against the Astros, with 71 strikeouts and 24 walks in 59 innings. In the lone game he didn’t win, Bauer pitched into the eighth, struck out 13, and left with the lead. Cleveland eventually won anyway, 10-9.</p>
<p id="F8QMZU">At Minute Maid Park, Bauer has been even better, 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA, allowing four total runs in 26⅔ innings, the last coming in 2019.</p>
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<p id="RHOmC9">The only other teams Bauer has beaten as often or more than Houston are the Tigers (11 wins) and <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> (eight wins). He has started 21 and 19 times, respectively, against those teams, compared to just nine starts against the Astros.</p>
<h3 id="lDUIPL">Uniform minutiae</h3>
<p id="DUzjT6">The Dodgers have worn “Los Angeles” road gray uniforms in the first four games of this road trip, keeping with a theme of sorts this season. In every game of the first road trip this year, in Colorado and Oakland, the Dodgers wore “Dodgers” unfiorms. Later in April, in San Diego and Seattle, it was back to “Los Angeles” jerseys, then “Dodgers” for all 10 games on the last trip.</p>
<p id="4EjKj0">So far this season, the Dodgers are 7-10 when wearing “Dodgers” uniforms, allowing 4.88 runs per game. When donning “Los Angeles” garb, they are 7-2 while allowing 2.89 runs per game.</p>
<p id="868KlG">Last year, including the postseason, the runs scored and runs allowed numbers were very similar in both uniforms, but they only wore “Los Angeles” uniforms on a single, five-game trip. They went 4-1. But they were also excellent in “Dodgers” road grays, going 23-9 (.719).</p>
<p id="4jFJ69">Dodgers director of clubhouse operations Alex Torres is in charge of picking the jerseys, and Dave Roberts insisted he isn’t superstitious one way or another.</p>
<p id="1ZaYSy">“The last thing I’m worried about is uniforms and thinking a uniform has an impact on performance,” Roberts said a few weeks back. “I like process, plan, and preparation.”</p>
<h3 id="BvoOnb">Game info</h3>
<p id="mnwvMf">Teams: Dodgers (30-18) at Astros (26-22)</p>
<p id="pxf5D2">Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston</p>
<p id="OXJyNw">Time: 4:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="gXxBsD">TV: SportsNet LA, ESPN (out of market)</p>
<p id="Yax5lU"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/26/22455361/trevor-bauer-astros-dodgers-uniforms-road-trip-finaleEric Stephen2021-05-24T17:32:59-07:002021-05-24T17:32:59-07:00A classic pitching matchup & a full house in Houston
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aigB65ggcwCI31yYh8npCZ6-nqw=/0x0:5400x3600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69337049/826116818.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tuesday will be the 3rd matchup between former teammates Kershaw & Greinke</p> <p id="jK96z3">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> finish off their road trip with two games in Houston against the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> beginning Tuesday night, with an interesting wrinkle. Minute Maid Park will allow maximum capacity beginning with this series, giving Astros fans a chance to loudly vent their frustration at those who took umbrage with their own team’s sign stealing.</p>
<p id="vsXFyj">Recently relaxed CDC guidelines have opened the floodgates for MLB teams to allow more fans in ballparks, in accordance with state and local guidelines. The Dodgers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/21/22448082/dodger-stadium-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news">will allow 100-percent capacity beginning June 15</a>, with the Angels doing the same starting June 17.</p>
<p id="9qUhnU">The Astros began the 2021 season at 50-percent capacity, and have since increased, with socially-distanced requirements in place. So far this season the Astros have averaged 19,098 fans in 24 home dates, with a top crowd of 26,069. The team lists <a href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark/information/facts-and-figures">a total seating capacity of 40,963 at Minute Maid Park</a>, though in 2019 — the last season with fans in the stands — the Astros had 15 home dates with more than that, and an average home attendance of 35,276 that ranked fourth in the American League.</p>
<p id="J86RB0">Joe Kelly last pitched on Thursday, in case you were wondering about his availability for this series and whether whatever decibel measuring system is at Minute Maid Park needs calibrating.</p>
<h3 id="tSRPzQ">Super Tuesday</h3>
<p id="1HXK38">The opening game of the series features two future Hall of Fame pitchers, with Clayton Kershaw starting for the Dodgers and Zack Greinke for the Astros. Between them they have four Cy Young Awards, and a claim at a fifth with each as deserving in 2015 as NL winner Jake Arrieta, but that’s a different argument for another day.</p>
<p id="AMcvWm">Greinke is the active leader in starts (469) and innings (2,998⅔), and will pass 3,000 innings unless on Tuesday unless he gets absolutely torched early by the Dodgers. Kershaw ranks sixth in both starts (364) and innings (2,389⅔). Both pitchers in in the top four among active pitchers in wins and strikeouts, with the 37-year-old Greinke ahead in each category thanks to being four years Kershaw’s senior.</p>
<p id="2b6cN9">Both are still effective well into their 30s. Kershaw’s 3.18 ERA is tied for 26th in the majors, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=19,a">though his 2.64 FIP is seventh</a>, with his best strikeout rate (29.0 percent) since 2017. </p>
<p id="GD2apV">Greinke has a 3.77 ERA and 3.67 FIP in his 10 starts, though to date his home ERA (6.41) in an anagram of his road ERA (1.64) thanks to allowing 19 runs and five homers in his five starts at Minute Maid Park, compared to six runs and two home runs given up in five road starts. But the Dodgers should still be on their toes in case Greinke tries to sneak in a Bugs Bunny changeup.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zack Greinke out here throwing 51 MPH‼️ <a href="https://t.co/40WX2XLgni">pic.twitter.com/40WX2XLgni</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1381784937712529409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2021</a>
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<p id="4HFmmn">Tuesday is the third career meeting between Kershaw and Greinke, who were teammates with the Dodgers from 2013-15. Both previous matchups came when Greinke was with the D-backs. Kershaw <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201704140.shtml">won at Dodger Stadium in 2017</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI201906240.shtml">Greinke homered off Kershaw in 2019 in Arizona</a>, a game that was won by the D-backs late against the bullpen.</p>
<h3 id="zf6mfj">A broad look at Houston</h3>
<p id="PyLNPa">Heading into the weekend, both the Dodgers and Astros were 26-18, but a pair of sweeps created some distance between the two teams. LA took care of the Giants in San Francisco, while Houston lost three games on the road to their in-state rival Rangers.</p>
<p id="UDMPNz">The Astros <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=17,d">lead MLB with a 117 wRC+</a>. The Dodgers are third at 112, though counting only non-pitchers <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&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=17,d">the Dodgers are actually ahead, with a 120 wRC+</a>. That’s not to say the Dodgers offense is necessarily better, especially given the number of regulars currently on the injured list, but they will have use of the designated hitter for the final two times this regular season.</p>
<p id="kh0bCs">Mostly usual suspects are carrying the Astros offense, with Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, and Yordan Alvarez among the six lineup regulars with a 128 wRC+ or higher. They’ve managed to make do with the relative lesser production from Carlos Correa (115 wRC+), Kyle Tucker (110) and occasional starter Aledmys Diaz (109). The batting order is stacked, and healthy.</p>
<p id="tx4mnK">Houston’s great offensive strength is its lack of swing and miss. Their strikeout rate (17.8 percent) <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&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=4,d">is far and away the best in baseball</a>, so it’s no surprise their contact rate (81.7 percent) is <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=5&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=7,d">also tops in the majors</a>. The Astros <em>will</em> chase pitches outside the zone (29.5 percent, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=np&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=5&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=2,d">ninth-lowest</a>), at least relative to the Dodgers (26.1 percent, second-lowest).</p>
<p id="cfA2wJ">Dodgers pitchers have <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&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=6,d">a 28.2-percent strikeout rate, third-highest in the majors</a>. That might be the biggest difference between the two teams right now (aside from health), with Astros pitchers 14th with a 24.3-percent K rate. Greinke is on the low end (19.9 percent), but Wednesday starter Luis Garcia has a 28.7-percent strikeout rate, one of the best on Houston’s staff.</p>
<h3 id="5A8uws">Series schedule</h3>
<ul>
<li id="DqHa1m">Tuesday, 5:10 p.m. PT: Clayton Kershaw vs. Zack Greinke (SportsNet LA, FS1)</li>
<li id="fY9ocp">Wednesday, 4:40 p.m.: Trevor Bauer vs. Luis Garcia (SportsNet LA, ESPN)</li>
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<p id="wcREyr">Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez, Tim Kurkjian, Marly Rivera are on the ESPN call on Wednesday, though that telecast won’t be available in the Los Angeles television market. Tuesday’s FS1 broadcast will not be blacked out.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/24/22452164/dodgers-astros-preview-clayton-kershaw-zack-greinke-maximum-capacity-houstonEric Stephen