True Blue LA - August 31: Dodgers 3, Braves 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2021-08-31T22:05:45-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/224153862021-08-31T22:05:45-07:002021-08-31T22:05:45-07:00Dodgers comeback closes gap in NL West race
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<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kK_P_uJCKyBE2KKEnGbtTVM97UI=/0x0:2472x1648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69801657/usa_today_16662454.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LA now a half-game back in the NL West, the closest they’ve been in 8 weeks</p> <p id="muM1wA">Corey Seager’s RBI double in the eighth inning completed a methodical <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> comeback, beating the Braves 3-2 on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="RmVNTw">Coupled with the Giants’ home loss to Milwaukee, the Dodgers now trail in the National League West by only a half-game, the closest they’ve been in the division since July 6.</p>
<p id="sSlJpY">Mookie Betts walked to open the eighth inning, and one out later scored with ease on Seager’s double, showing no ill effects of the hip injury that has sidelined him on the injured list twice in the last month and a half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Go-ahead RBI double from Corey? Betts. <a href="https://t.co/SvQvEs6zjc">pic.twitter.com/SvQvEs6zjc</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1432929415915180032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2021</a>
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<p id="0Ovv6d">“Ten days ago, having this conversation didn’t seem like it was going to happen,” manager Dave Roberts said of Betts’ hip. “I’m really happy he’s feeling well.” </p>
<p id="miNL0k">Down 2-0 to the Braves early, the Dodgers scored single runs in the fourth, seventh, and eighth to finish off August at 21-6 (.778), the fourth-best month for the franchise <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650430/cody-bellinger-dodgers-braves-lineups-clayton-kershaw-tony-gonsolin">since moving to Los Angeles in 1958</a>.</p>
<p id="icupom">The first of those runs came on a home run by Mookie Betts, who went deep for a second straight night. Since the All-Star break, Betts has six home runs and 10 extra-base hits in 14 games, with an .833 slugging percentage.</p>
<p id="qUrjw8">That was the only run off Charlie Morton, who stymied the Dodgers through six innings, allowing only three hits while striking out eight. </p>
<p id="h7MX8d">Betts also helped on defense, in the second inning by reaching over the short wall in right field to rob Travis d’Arnaud of a home run.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take it away, Mookie! <a href="https://t.co/pz5KwNTTDQ">pic.twitter.com/pz5KwNTTDQ</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1432892869149347846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2021</a>
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<p id="dmHsHp">“Just to watch him play free again,” Seager said of Betts. “He runs into walls and doesn’t worry about it, scores from first, and hits a homer. He’s out there and just having fun playing again.”</p>
<p id="vAzMDG">Walker Buehler was solid yet again, allowing only two runs in seven innings, a winnable game on most nights. He allowed only four hits, including a tomahawk home run by old friend Joc Pederson in the fourth inning, Pederson’s 74th career home run at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="9cJegL">“I know I’m going to get a text from him or whatever,” Buehler said. “People aren’t supposed to hit that pitch that way.”</p>
<p id="rUFMw3">Buehler was efficient, striking out five and needing only 92 pitches to get through seven innings. But with the Dodgers trailing and two runners on base in the seventh, it was a no-brainer to pinch-hit for him.</p>
<p id="gGZxUq">With runners on the corners and one out, pinch-hitter Chris Taylor lofted a fly ball deep enough to right center to score AJ Pollock with the tying run.</p>
<p id="M9e2Sa">The two runs allowed match Buehler’s high over his last 10 starts, during which he allowed 11 total runs. Buehler finished his August with a 1.56 ERA in six starts.</p>
<p id="jdehGD">Blake Treinen followed Buehler and earned the win by striking out all three batters faced in the eighth inning. Kenley Jansen finished things off in the ninth for his 30th save of the season, the seventh time he’s reached that milestone.</p>
<p id="pLvx6l">Both Jansen and Treinen pitched three times in the last four days, and Roberts said both would be unavailable on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="MR0RXT">The Dodgers finished August with a 2.25 ERA in 27 games, <a href="https://stathead.com/sharing/jFi8j">tied for the team’s 15th-best ERA in any month since moving to Los Angeles</a>.</p>
<h3 id="vQguWo">Sigh of relief</h3>
<p id="3OJ0cN">Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies fouled a ball off his left knee in the fifth inning and had to be carried off the field. The team <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1432921833398018051">announced during the game that X-rays were negative</a>.</p>
<h3 id="FAACXX">Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p id="lQ1PLW"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Mookie Betts (19); Joc Pederson (16)</p>
<p id="fITIDl"><strong>WP — Blake Treinen (5-5)</strong>: 1 IP, 3 strikeouts</p>
<p id="l2f3Vc"><strong>LP — Tyler Matzek (0-4)</strong>: 1⅓ IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 2 walks, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="e0uXUv"><strong>Sv — Kenley Jansen (30)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 strikeouts</p>
<h3 id="AB323F">Up next</h3>
<p id="EN0z1v">The Dodgers and Braves finish things off on Wednesday night (7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA), with Max Scherzer on the mound for Los Angeles, against left-hander Max Fried.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650576/dodgers-braves-comeback-corey-seager-mookie-betts-walker-buehler-pitching-augustEric Stephen2021-08-31T18:51:00-07:002021-08-31T18:51:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Braves Game V chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wjoZ_5c6RZjv_dMpvfRZJyZo5Eg=/0x0:4116x2744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69801143/1234577741.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="pOs1pH">Walker Buehler and the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> take on Charlie Morton and the Braves in a pitching rematch of Game 3 of last year’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>.</p>
<h3 id="OSV0S4">Pregame reading</h3>
<aside id="cDGv2Z"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Notes: Bellinger starts, what’s next for Kershaw &amp; Gonsolin","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650430/cody-bellinger-dodgers-braves-lineups-clayton-kershaw-tony-gonsolin"},{"title":"Dodgers claim a pair of Cubs pitchers off waivers","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650868/dodgers-roster-ryan-meisinger-jake-jewell-waivers-cubs"}]}'></div></aside><div id="ODnxpu"><div data-anthem-component="table:10728946"></div></div>
<h3 id="EO1hdm">Game info</h3>
<p id="b7aiui">Teams: Dodgers (83-49) vs. Braves (70-60)</p>
<p id="YH0Se4">Location: Dodger Stadium</p>
<p id="Fkv76B">Time: 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p id="InJjfT">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650423/dodgers-braves-game-threadEric Stephen2021-08-31T16:39:27-07:002021-08-31T16:39:27-07:00Bellinger starts in CF against the Braves
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<img alt="Colorado Rockies v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DbqkWN3ktkbiWcB1vjkLzNfSdg0=/0x0:3305x2203/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69800792/1337122425.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Pregame notes before Dodgers-Braves</p> <p id="MQPgvy">After hitting four home runs in the series opener against the Braves on Monday night, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back at it again, facing Charlie Morton on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. So let’s go over some notes before the middle game of the series.</p>
<p id="vGTPcM">Cody Bellinger starts in center field on Tuesday, with Chris Taylor the regular that rests at least at the beginning of the game.</p>
<p id="GVTwas">The Dodgers are 20-6 (.769) in August. A win on Tuesday would give them their fourth-best record in any month since moving to Los Angeles in 1958. The only months better are July 2017 (20-3, .870), April 1977 (17-3, .850), and August 2013 (23-6, .793).</p>
<p id="hcXunG">Walker Buehler has allowed nine runs in his last nine starts. In five August starts he has a 1.35 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 33⅓ innings.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="OfgQZq"><div data-anthem-component="table:10728946"></div></div></div>
<p id="5EfivD">Clayton Kershaw “felt no residual effects from his simulated game” on Monday, said Dave Roberts. The next step for Kershaw will be a two-inning simulated game, likely on Saturday in San Francisco, with a bullpen session before then to prepare.</p>
<p id="gskG3D">Tony Gonsolin, who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/30/22649454/clayton-kershaw-tony-gonsolin-los-angeles-dodgers-news">pitched <em>two</em> simulated innings on Monday</a>, will throw three innings in his next outing, likely this weekend. The location of said outing is still to be determined, with a possible minor league rehab assignment afoot.</p>
<p id="yit95b">Roberts said he didn’t yet know the plan for pitchers Jake Jewell and Ryan Meisinger, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650868/dodgers-roster-ryan-meisinger-jake-jewell-waivers-cubs">both of whom were claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday</a>. “I know nothing changes as far as the major league roster tonight,” Roberts said. “That could be different, looking at tomorrow though.”</p>
<p id="xMNuwA">Active roster limits expand from 26 to 28 players on Wednesday.</p>
<h3 id="EO1hdm">Game info</h3>
<p id="b7aiui">Teams: Dodgers (83-49) vs. Braves (70-60)</p>
<p id="YH0Se4">Location: Dodger Stadium</p>
<p id="Fkv76B">Time: 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p id="InJjfT">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650430/cody-bellinger-dodgers-braves-lineups-clayton-kershaw-tony-gonsolinEric Stephen2021-08-31T13:23:09-07:002021-08-31T13:23:09-07:00Dodgers claim Meisinger & Jewell off waivers from Cubs
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<img alt="Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v3i1_F-f6uUONXD0vrg4cLHxcdM=/0x0:4456x2971/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69799996/1333948813.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Both RHP were designated for assignment by Chicago on Saturday</p> <p id="bUqRFc">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have churned through relievers for the last two months, and added a pair of fresh arms to the pile on Tuesday. Los Angeles claimed right-handed pitchers Ryan Meisinger and Jake Jewell off waivers from the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>.</p>
<p id="DodZM0">Both have pitched parts of three seasons in the majors, beginning in 2018, and both have career ERAs that start with a seven. This year, Meisinger had a 12.27 ERA and 7.12 FIP in all of seven games with the Cubs, while Jewell had a 9.90 ERA and 9.16 FIP in his 10 games with Chicago. The Cubs designated both pitchers for assignment on Saturday.</p>
<p id="R0qmjk">Meisinger is 27 years old, and was an 11th-round draft pick of the Orioles in 2015, and appeared in the majors with the Orioles, Cardinals, and Cubs. </p>
<p id="eqmaoH">Jewell is 28, and was picked in the fifth round in 2014 by the Angels. He’s pitched in the majors for the Angels and Cubs.</p>
<p id="QrQMXT">Tuesday is the deadline to add players for the postseason. Anyone in the organization by August 31 is eligible to play during the postseason. Meisinger and Jewell might not fit that bill, but the Dodgers have more immediate needs.</p>
<p id="noaOM6">With a roster of three starting pitchers — Walker Buehler, Max Scherzer, and Julio Urías — plus David Price, who is averaging 4.3 innings per start since joining the rotation, completing five innings just twice in nine starts, the Dodgers have called on the bullpen quite often.</p>
<p id="cSgmve">Since the beginning of July, Dodgers relievers have pitched 44.7 percent of the team’s innings, with the bullpen averaging 3.95 innings and 3.88 relief appearances per game. The Dodgers used 25 different pitchers during the month of August, and on the season the club’s 38 pitchers used is a franchise record.</p>
<aside id="k5LsfF"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Updated Dodgers 40-man roster","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/7/16/22580625/los-angeles-dodgers-40-man-roster-2021"}]}'></div></aside><p id="5EXM7Q">In each of the last four days, the Dodgers optioned a pitcher they called up the day before. Because players have to be on optional assignment for 10 days before getting recalled, unless replacing an injured player, the Dodgers didn’t have a healthy pitcher they could have called up once active roster limits expand from 26 to 28 on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="IWFSFd">Here’s the list of pitchers on the 40-man roster not on the active roster or injured list:</p>
<ul>
<li id="yMsCXN">Victor González: <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/25/22636548/joe-kelly-activated-dodgers-roster-victor-gonzalez-optioned">optioned August 25</a>, can’t be recalled until Saturday</li>
<li id="8B8WOb">Darien Núñez: <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/27/22645251/los-angeles-dodgers-andre-jackson-darien-nunez">optioned August 27</a>, can’t be recalled until Monday</li>
<li id="HvlQsW">Andre Jackson: <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/28/22646224/los-angeles-dodgers-edwin-uceta-andre-jackson-mlb-news">optioned August 28</a>, can’t be recalled until September 7</li>
<li id="PHC47T">Edwin Uceta: <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/29/22646447/dodgers-roster-pitching-revolving-door-mitch-white-recalled">optioned August 29</a>, can’t be recalled until September 8</li>
<li id="D0i9TD">Mitch White: <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/30/22649539/evan-phillips-mitch-white-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news">optioned August 30</a>, can’t be recalled until September 9</li>
</ul>
<p id="HiCxTK">On the position player side, neither Matt Beaty or Gavin Lux can be recalled until Sunday. Should the Dodgers want to add a position player before then, the available options on the 40-man roster are Zach McKinstry, Sheldon Neuse, Luke Raley, and Zach Reks.</p>
<p id="f5asvU">But in terms of extra pitchers for Wednesday or Friday, the cupboard was bare, at least until claiming Meisinger and Jewell.</p>
<p id="G2kE9z">Meisinger last pitched on Friday for Chicago. Jewell’s last game was last Wednesday.</p>
<p id="TBjD5t">The Dodgers haven’t announced the corresponding moves to add the two former Cubs pitchers, but given that just last week left-handers Scott Alexander and Garrett Cleavinger were both described as being “a ways away” from returning by manager Dave Roberts, perhaps one or both could be transferred to the 60-day injured list.</p>
<p id="3bpbOK">Meisinger has two option years left, having used one in 2018. Jewell has one option year remaining after using them in 2018 and 2019. Should the Dodgers decide to use one or both pitchers in the majors, both have the flexibility to be shuttled back and forth to the minors, which has seemed almost mandatory for several Dodgers pitchers this season.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/31/22650868/dodgers-roster-ryan-meisinger-jake-jewell-waivers-cubsEric Stephen2021-08-30T11:11:00-07:002021-08-30T11:11:00-07:00A rested Dodgers rotation against the Braves
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the the Colorado Rockies 7-0." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tTf8Sc9Q4qVSc1VAeyEZkodXYD8=/1096x477:3084x1802/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69794308/1312416301.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Atlanta is in town for three games, beginning Monday night</p> <p id="sq3bdu">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> face two division leaders on the schedule this week. But rather than have their top three healthy starting pitchers face the team they’re chasing next weekend in San Francisco, the trio of Julio Urías, Walker Buehler, and Max Scherzer will all start against the Braves at home instead.</p>
<p id="zBxUJ0">Andre Jackson and Mitch White were inserted for weekend starts against the Rockies, but had the Dodgers started Urías on four days rest on Sunday, those top three starters all would have been in line to pitch against the Giants.</p>
<p id="w0JDOh">“It’s certainly going to be a big series [in San Francisco], but I think making sure that we take care of guys — Julio, Walker, namely — as far as giving them an extra day to understand and appreciate what they have in store for them the rest of the season,” manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. “There’s still plenty of games that we’ve got to take care of our business.”</p>
<p id="COc0SN">Urías and Buehler will still face the Giants, but Scherzer will miss that series.</p>
<p id="nLUyDt">After next weekend’s showdown in San Francisco, the Dodgers and Giants will have 23 games remaining but none against each other. But the driving factor for having the top three pitch against the Braves was the extra day of rest.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="czZtwj"><div data-anthem-component="table:10724842"></div></div></div>
<p id="G7OgX8">This is not new for the Dodgers, who have used more starters on five days rest than four days rest for each of the previous four seasons. This year is actually break even on that front, with 50 Dodgers starts on four days rest and 50 on five days rest. </p>
<p id="h3GisN">There’s plenty of noise in there, with 31 other games to account for. Using Baseball Reference splits, Mitch White’s start on Sunday counts as one of the 17 in the “6+ days” category, since his previous major league outing was August 18. But his Sunday start was <em>actually</em> on four days rest, since he started on Tuesday in the minors. Bullpen games and openers have wreaked havoc on the splits, with 14 “starts” coming with 0-3 days rest.</p>
<p id="umsUxS">Limiting things to only four and five days rest at the very least is a good enough approximation for actual starters, and represents a choice rather than, say, an injury, a minor league assignment, or something of that nature. </p>
<p id="SQVxzt">Ten of Buehler’s 26 starts have come on four days rest this season. Urías, already at 17 more innings than any season in his career, has started nine of his 25 starts on four days rest. Scherzer is closer to an even split with 11 of his 24 starts on four days rest, but Wednesday will make four out of six starts with the Dodgers on five days rest.</p>
<p id="D98WD8">“Coming off last year, and what guys are taking on this year, whenever you can kind of give them an extra day, curtail an inning here and there, it just only seems like upside,” Roberts said. </p>
<p id="SeS2wv">Dodgers pitchers on the season <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2021&month=1000&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-08-29&sort=16%2Ca">lead MLB in ERA</a> (3.04) and FIP (3.61).</p>
<p id="zV8ynm">Who those rested big three pitchers will face next is a red-hot Atlanta team that has taken control in the National League East. The Braves just took two of three from the Giants, and have won 18 of their last 23 games for a 4½-game lead in the division.</p>
<p id="kFAdWX">Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos was as busy as anyone in July, including acquiring an entirely new starting outfield after the All-Star break. Old friend Joc Pederson made a fantastic catch at the right field wall <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/8/27/22645548/atlanta-braves-san-francisco-giants-recap-final-score-6-5-win-adam-duvall-jorge-soler-joc-pederson">to secure Friday’s win over the Giants</a>, and has been reasonably productive at the plate with the Braves, just like his new outfield teammates Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall.</p>
<h3 id="HDzyKg">New outfield with Braves</h3>
<p id="2YJIUc">Soler: .283/.396/.543, 150 wRC+<br>Pederson: .252/.343/.412, 105 wRC+<br>Duvall: .196/.295/.435, 93 wRC+</p>
<p id="y4A03X">The Dodgers will face left-hander Drew Smyly on Monday and lefty Max Fried on Wednesday. A rematch of Game 3 of the 2020 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> is in between, with Buehler and Charlie Morton facing off on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="Hnzad6">Along with old friend Alex Wood likely on the docket next weekend in San Francisco, that’s three southpaws the Dodgers face this week, a chance to turn around their subpar performance against left-handers this season.</p>
<p id="g8UzOo">On the season, Los Angeles is hitting .232/.310/.414 against southpaws, a 98 wRC+ that is just a tick below league average. In August, it’s up to a 102 WRC+ (.242/.311/.433), buoyed by the arrival of Trea Turner. But it could be better.</p>
<p id="xrrVl4">Mookie Betts is back off the injured list now, and most of the Dodgers regulars got their rest over the weekend. Everyone is active such that they can field a lineup with the eight best hitters, which right now doesn’t include Cody Bellinger, especially against lefties.</p>
<p id="I7ZZs5">Two first-place teams are on the docket this week. Time for the Dodgers to use the best possible lineup.</p>
<h3 id="odHJMI">Broadcast note</h3>
<p id="3KuSha">Monday’s series opener will be televised by ESPN, a national telecast that won’t be blacked out in the Los Angeles television market but will be blacked out in Atlanta. Mike Monaco is on play-by-play for ESPN, with analyst Xavier Scruggs. The game will also be broadcast on SportsNet LA. </p>
<h3 id="dZNj2G">Dodgers-Braves schedule</h3>
<ul>
<li id="JGhuqA">Monday, 7:10 p.m.: Julio Urías vs. Drew Smyly (SportsNet LA, ESPN)</li>
<li id="mz0Zra">Tuesday, 7:10 p.m.: Walker Buehler vs. Charlie Morton (SportsNet LA)</li>
<li id="ywKjCG">Wednesday, 7:10 p.m.: Max Scherzer vs. Max Fried (SportsNet LA)</li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/30/22647326/dodgers-braves-julio-urias-walker-buehler-max-scherzer-five-days-restEric Stephen