True Blue LA - June 9: Dodgers 11, White Sox 9Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2022-06-09T15:25:46-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/229261132022-06-09T15:25:46-07:002022-06-09T15:25:46-07:00Max Muncy cleans up in wild Dodgers win over White Sox
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago White Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-_nOKEsjVOAlDf8xHoiywaEVy80=/0x0:5748x3832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70961480/1401999340.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Max Muncy has the look of a man very satisfied with the result after seeing the batter in front of him intentionally walked with two strikes. | Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LA takes series in Chicago</p> <p id="6vDgCA">Max Muncy announced his return to the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> lineup with authority, delivering the culminating blow in two separate big innings to beat the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> 11-9 on Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.</p>
<p id="HFp9vf">Muncy missed two weeks with left elbow inflammation, the same elbow in which he suffered a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament last October. In <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160623/max-muncy-activated-dodgers-roster-zach-mckinstry">Muncy’s first game back</a> he was inserted into the cleanup spot — where he’s batted in nearly half (19) of his starts (40) this season — despite his .150/.327/.263 batting line, then spent the game justifying the decision.</p>
<p id="XLNFwc">Chicago jumped ahead 4-0 by the fourth inning, the same score by which the White Sox won the series opener. In doing so they not only snapped Tyler Anderson’s scoreless string at 28 innings, but also knocked him out after recording only nine outs.</p>
<p id="ClzQQn">Control was lacking on Thursday for Anderson, who walked three, matching his total for his previous seven starts. The left-hander was pulled down two runs with nobody out and the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Brusdar Graterol hit a batter but retired the next three hitters, but in doing so two of the inherited runners scored.</p>
<p id="qRmdL6">The Dodgers responded immediately, thanks to some help. With one out and two runners on in the fifth, third baseman Jake Burger booted a grounder from Austin Barnes, loading the bases. Mookie Betts then struck out, which could have ended the inning. </p>
<p id="sGb1kX">Freddie Freeman was the first to capitalize with a two-run double, halving the lead. Trea Turner beat out an infield hit to pull Los Angeles within a run. Up came Muncy, who had two extra-base hits in his last 19 games before landing on the injured list. Muncy doubled, giving the Dodgers their first lead, and a wild pitch later in the frame added another tally.</p>
<p id="R1ntVI">Dylan Cease, who was close to escaping with five scoreless innings, threw 45 pitches in the fifth alone, and he couldn’t finish the frame.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"When was the last time you saw somebody intentionally walked on 1-2?"<br><br>"Doesn't happen often."<br><br>*Boom* <a href="https://t.co/LNR52guBkG">pic.twitter.com/LNR52guBkG</a></p>— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWhiteSox/status/1535004156460687374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="ztuyT1">After Burger homered to cut the Dodgers’ lead to just one run, LA responded again in the sixth. Freeman singled home another run, then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With two outs and a 1-2 count on Trea Turner, White Sox manager Tony LaRussa opted to intentionally walk him to get to Muncy.</p>
<p id="SgbSX5">The fan yelling “He had two strikes, Tony!” at <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWhiteSox/status/1535004156460687374">the end of this clip of the White Sox broadcast</a> summarized the situation nicely.</p>
<p id="foad6Y">LaRussa got the matchup he wanted, with the left-handed Bennett Sousa facing the lefty Muncy. His at-bat also got to two strikes, and on the fifth pitch Muncy drove a ball the other way for his first home run since May 4.</p>
<p id="RMJVRQ">That snapped a string of 80 straight plate appearances without a home run for Muncy, who drove in three runs in the 19 games in between home runs.</p>
<p id="10Vfey">On Thursday, Muncy had five runs batted in.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back, Max! <a href="https://t.co/rX0dnXCI4x">pic.twitter.com/rX0dnXCI4x</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1535002015280992256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2022</a>
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<p id="IwGbnk">Big innings have been the calling card for the Dodgers offense that leads the majors in runs scored per game (5.33 after Thursday). But those large rallies were few and far between recently, scoring more than two runs in an inning only twice in their previous twelve games.</p>
<p id="Vdidq8">On Thursday against the White Sox, the Dodgers had two such innings back-to-back. Twenty-three innings with at least four runs scored by the Dodgers is more than any other MLB team this season. In second place is San Francisco — with 19 such innings — where the Dodgers are headed next.</p>
<p id="Dap1Rg">Six relievers followed Anderson, each pitching one inning. It wasn’t always pretty. Phil Bickford allowed a home run, and Alex Vesia walked two and allowed two runs in the eighth. Daniel Hudson had a four-run lead in the ninth, coughed up half of it, and allowed the tying runs to reach base with one out. But thanks to a foul popout by Yasmani Grandal and Gavin Sheets striking out, Hudson and the Dodgers were able to escape.</p>
<p id="3UkFjv">Hudson, who was pitching on his second straight day, threw a season-high 35 pitches on Thursday.</p>
<h3 id="aPZqhu">Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li id="XmatPa">Muncy’s five RBI <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/9ma98">matched a Dodgers season high this year</a>. Betts drove in five on May 7 against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>. Freeman drove in five on May 26 against the D-backs. All three five-RBI games were on the road.</li>
<li id="UvYOKG">Gavin Lux hit an RBI double in the ninth for <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/1Ph0F">his first career four-hit game</a>. He also walked, and scored twice. In June, Lux has 11 hits in 25 at-bats (.440).</li>
<li id="vmNtDg">Freeman had three hits and drove in three runs.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="v8hdH0">Thursday particulars</h3>
<p id="qNcDy8"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Max Muncy (4); Jake Burger (7)</p>
<p id="P3XcAp"><strong>WP — Brusdar Graterol (2-2)</strong>: 1 IP, 1 HBP</p>
<p id="jw84j8"><strong>LP — Dylan Cease (4-3)</strong>: 4⅔ IP, 6 hits, 6 unearned runs, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts</p>
<h3 id="3eGyUB">Up next</h3>
<p id="slTPUb">The road trip heads to San Francisco for an always-compelling weekend series with the Giants. Walker Buehler starts the opener on Friday night (7:15 p.m., SportsNet LA), with right-hander Jakob Junis on the mound for the home team.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23161827/max-muncy-home-run-comeback-dodgers-gavin-lux-white-soxEric Stephen2022-06-09T10:53:00-07:002022-06-09T10:53:00-07:00Dodgers vs. White Sox Game III chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3TZt3wcSJBeFbBkdeKznVZg63LY=/1x0:4504x3002/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70960433/1399970150.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Getaway day in Chicago</p> <p id="ASKVTe">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are 3-3 in rubber games this season, though just 1-3 in such games on the road. They try to turn that around on Thursday afternoon, with Tyler Anderson on the mound against Dylan Cease and the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>.</p>
<p id="fZjqlo">Related reading & listening</p>
<aside id="Sz9Akh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Muncy activated off the IL, McKinstry optioned","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160623/max-muncy-activated-dodgers-roster-zach-mckinstry"},{"title":"Kershaw on track for Sunday start in SF","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160691/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-giants"},{"title":"Leading Off: Tony Gonsolin putting it all together","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/podcasts/2022/6/9/23160805/dodgers-podcast-tony-gonsolin-all-star-game"},{"title":"Michael Busch hits walk-off double in extras for OKC","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160857/dodgers-minors-michael-busch-walk-off-extra-innings-oklahoma-city"}]}'></div></aside><div id="VqSqba"><div data-anthem-component="table:11283625"></div></div>
<h3 id="CU3Z0C">Game info</h3>
<ul>
<li id="wzUlJS">Teams: Dodgers (36-20) at White Sox (26-28)</li>
<li id="O5ynJS">Pitchers: Tyler Anderson vs. Dylan Cease</li>
<li id="g8HEKw">Location: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago</li>
<li id="BYbLUY">Time: 11:10 a.m. PT</li>
<li id="LhRUSe">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)</li>
</ul>
<p id="JfylJ8"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160664/dodgers-white-sox-game-chatEric Stephen2022-06-09T08:46:01-07:002022-06-09T08:46:01-07:00Max Muncy back after missing 2 weeks
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9YLU8KHQdxtN8oCfL64CcPBe6XA=/0x0:5787x3858/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70959857/1400194645.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Zach McKinstry optioned to Triple-A</p> <p id="F7ddeZ">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated Max Muncy off the injured list before Thursday’s series finale against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> in Chicago, after the infielder missed 13 games with left elbow inflammation.</p>
<p id="wKrywc">Muncy had two hits in 14 at-bats in four games on a minor league with Triple-A Oklahoma City that culminated on Wednesday afternoon. Muncy struck out six times, walked three times, and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/8/23158463/dodgers-gavin-stone-strikeouts-max-muncy-home-run">hit a walk-off home run on Tuesday</a>. He played two games at third base and two games at second base on the rehab assignment.</p>
<p id="LoMvw6">Dodgers assistant hitting coach Aaron Bates accompanied Muncy on his rehab assignment, and manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday in Chicago that how Muncy’s elbow felt was the main determinant in the timing of his return.</p>
<p id="MPfTxe">From <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/liveblog/dodgers-chicago-white-sox-live-updates-start-time-score-mlb-news?p=max-muncy-could-be-done-with-rehab-stint-clayton-kershaw-scheduled-for-sunday-start">Jack Harris at the Los Angeles Times</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="2tENtc"><em>“Certainly [the results] matter – they don’t matter as much there – but talking to Aaron and talking to Max, they both feel confident. If you layer on getting a few more hits, [that] certainly would be better. But I’m going to trust those two guys feel good about where he’s at and he’s ready to come back.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="TSpeSw">Muncy starts at second base on Thursday for the Dodgers, batting cleanup. It’s his 13th start at second base this season, to go along with 18 starts at third base and eight starts at designated hitter.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="pqfSXm"><div data-anthem-component="table:11283625"></div></div></div>
<p id="Kpxzsv">It’s been rough sledding for Muncy this season, after suffering a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his left elbow last October, which knocked him out for the entire postseason. This year, Muncy is hitting just .150/.327/.263 with three home runs and an 82 wRC+ in 41 games. Though despite missing 13 games, Muncy still ranks fifth in the majors with 34 walks.</p>
<p id="6kSaoZ">With Muncy sidelined, that opened up more opportunities for Edwin Ríos to find playing time. Ríos started 11 out of 12 games, including seven of those starts with Muncy out, before Ríos himself got hurt, suffering a hamstring strain that’s expected to keep him out “a handful of weeks.”</p>
<p id="t8Yyqv">In the last five games, with both Muncy and Ríos on the shelf, the Dodgers’ <em>extra</em> starts — either at designated hitter or third base — went to Eddy Alvarez three times, plus Zach McKinstry and Hanser Alberto once each. That group combined for four hits in 14 at-bats (.286) with a home run, three runs batted in, and two runs scored in those starts.</p>
<p id="wOy5o4">McKinstry was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Muncy. In three major league stints this season, McKinstry has played in four games, going 1-for-5 with a home run and two runs batted in.</p>
<p id="HcTvg2">This is the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/5/8/23055408/dodgers-minor-league-option-tracker">second time McKinstry has been optioned since May 2</a>, when this season’s option counter went into effect.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/9/23160623/max-muncy-activated-dodgers-roster-zach-mckinstryEric Stephen2022-06-07T12:46:00-07:002022-06-07T12:46:00-07:00Walks tell the story of Dodgers vs. White Sox
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago White Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/r2rF9yAmHWI8bVy5gW0_7ITOvSc=/0x0:4038x2692/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70952855/819084464.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Banks/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>3-game series begins Tuesday night in Chicago</p> <p id="wU3ULw">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are in Chicago to play the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> for the first time in five years. Both teams were heavy favorites to win their division this season, but have had wildly different starts.</p>
<p id="5E3CA9">Los Angeles had a rough week last week at home, but is still on pace to win 105 games, and currently holds a 2½-game lead in the National League West. The White Sox prior to the season <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds?date=2022-04-07&dateDelta=">had a 60.1-percent chance to win the American League Central per FanGraphs</a>, and a 72.9-percent chance to make the playoffs.</p>
<p id="EYroHv">The White Sox were streaky to start, going 6-2 before losing 10 out of 11. The whiplash continued with seven wins in their next eight games. But then they settled in to a groove, swarming around an equilibrium. Chicago this season was 13-13, 14-14, 15-15, 16-16, 17-17, 18-18, 19-19, 20-20, 21-21, 22-22, and 23-23. </p>
<p id="rhRH3J">A four-game losing streak got the White Sox off that track, but they head into this series on a two-game win streak. At 25-27, the only way they get back to exactly .500 during this series is by winning the first two games.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="1x111h"><div data-anthem-component="table:11280540"></div></div></div>
<p id="7X41YU">Chicago trails the Twins by five games in the division, but are <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds">still favored at FanGraphs</a>, with a 44.8-percent chance to finish on top, and a 60.4-percent chance to reach the postseason.</p>
<p id="tcx8Q4">There are a number of differences between the two teams, with the Dodgers topping baseball in run differential, and the White Sox are near the bottom, at 24th. Then again, the discrepancy was even larger last week at Dodger Stadium when the Pirates turned the tables and swept the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="cBRtl9">But there is one thing that jumps out between the Dodgers and White Sox. It’s walks, on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p id="ApAFfO">Dodgers hitters <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=8,d">lead the majors with a 10.6-percent walk rate</a>, and the White Sox are last at 6.2 percent. That fuels a .333 on-base percentage for LA, second in MLB, compared to just .294 for Chicago. On the pitching side, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=7,a">the White Sox have walked batters at the highest rate</a> (10.5 percent), with the Dodgers arms the fourth-lowest at 7.0 percent.</p>
<p id="BKQhNn">In raw numbers, Dodgers batters have walked (220) nearly twice as many times as the White Sox (119). Los Angeles pitchers have walked 138 batters, compared to 212 by Chicago. </p>
<p id="Z1sQKg">This series is the first meeting between the two teams since 2017. They played two games in each location that season, all four games won by the Dodgers, in the midst of their unreal stretch of winning 52 times in 61 games.</p>
<p id="M2laiS">White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is on the injured list with a right groin strain. So is old friend Joe Kelly, with a left hamstring strain.</p>
<p id="dYIksf">Old friends are struggling for Chicago. Yasmani Grandal is hitting .163/.274/.213, a 50 wRC+, and AJ Pollock is at .216/.242/.344, a 67 wRC+.</p>
<h3 id="AmWTek">Pitching matchups</h3>
<ul>
<li id="6udV58">Tuesday (5:10 p.m. PT): Mitch White vs. Michael Kopech</li>
<li id="0SwS5Z">Wednesday (5:10 p.m.): Tony Gonsolin vs. Johnny Cueto</li>
<li id="4sNxd6">Thursday (11:10 a.m.): Tyler Anderson vs. Dylan Cease</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="qB7C8f">Broadcast info</h3>
<p id="G8JVXR">The series opener Tuesday night is on both SportsNet LA locally, and TBS for folks outside of the Los Angeles market. Brian Anderson and Ron Darling are calling the game for TBS along with reporter Hazel Mae. The TBS telecast <em>will</em> be available in Chicago. </p>
<p id="LpyqCV"><em>Next week’s</em> Dodgers-Angels series opener at Dodger Stadium, on Tuesday, June 14, will also be televised on TBS. Don Orsillo will call play-by-play for that broadcast alongside analyst Jeff Francoeur, with reporter Heidi Watney. That TBS broadcast won’t be available locally.</p>
<h3 id="CU3Z0C">Game info</h3>
<ul>
<li id="wzUlJS">Teams: Dodgers (35-19) at White Sox (25-27)</li>
<li id="O5ynJS">Pitchers: Mitch White vs. Michael Kopech</li>
<li id="g8HEKw">Location: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago</li>
<li id="BYbLUY">Time: 5:10 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="LhRUSe">TV: SportsNet LA, TBS (out of market)</li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/7/23158297/dodgers-white-sox-preview-walksEric Stephen