True Blue LA - April 14: Cubs 8, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2023-04-15T11:20:26-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/234469832023-04-15T11:20:26-07:002023-04-15T11:20:26-07:00Dodgers pitching choices are few & far between to start 10-day stretch
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<img alt="Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bUrklvnUoSR_BWkCTthElqTkZh4=/0x0:3720x2480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72183749/1251833589.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="FLt4CQ">LOS ANGELES — After seven innings against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> on Friday night, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> trailed by a run, in the first game of a weekend series at Dodger Stadium, after an off day with a rested bullpen.</p>
<p id="wPxukk">They opted for Andre Jackson, who has been pitching in long relief. In his first three outings, Jackson entered the game up seven runs (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/2/23666933/andre-jackson-three-inning-saves-dodgers-swiss-army-knife">his three-inning save</a>), down three, and ahead eight. He has <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/yb6jJ">the lowest average leverage index in the Dodgers bullpen</a>, entering Friday at .082. A score of 1.000 is considered average pressure when coming into a game by definition, though the major league average leverage index through Friday this season is 0.887. </p>
<p id="AoY139">Jackson in his first three games pitched perfectly well, allowing three runs in 6⅓ innings, with six strikeouts and no walks. It’s just that how he’s been used, the Dodgers really hadn’t put him into close games. Until Friday.</p>
<p id="bIIijY">Manager Dave Roberts said he considered Caleb Ferguson — .661 average leverage index, fourth-highest in the Dodgers bullpen — to pitch the eighth inning, but opted against it for two reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li id="3z6jEk">Though down only one run, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682945/dodgers-cubs-home-runs-justin-steele-noah-syndergaard-steals">Dodgers offense wasn’t doing much of anything Friday night</a>, with two solo home runs and a single. “We couldn’t muster anything,” Roberts said. ‘We didn’t threaten all night.”</li>
<li id="h18DSl">Friday was the first of 10 consecutive game days for the Dodgers, their longest stretch without an off day this season. </li>
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<p id="KmSrve">“Given that we’ve got a lot of games in a row, and we only have three hits to that point,” Roberts said. “If we start running leverage guys out there to come up short, that’s not where we want to be.”</p>
<p id="fGuTBj">Jackson’s outing was disastrous, allowing three home runs in the eighth inning, then two more runs, including another home run in the ninth. After his first inning of work, Jackson’s role shifted into one of soaking up the final outs to “save” the rest of the bullpen, but he was pitching so poorly that Phil Bickford was warming up in the bullpen just in case.</p>
<p id="74QlQZ">Obviously pitching Jackson turned out terribly, but having him pitch in a close game was a defensible position. You’d be surprised over the course of a long season how often teams try to buy an inning or two here and there, rather than optimizing every single moment.</p>
<p id="V0QQEq">The bullpen as a whole has been subpar, with a 5.48 ERA — 4.75 excluding Jackson — and a low 21.8-percent strikeout rate. The problem for the Dodgers at the moment is that there isn’t really a quick fix. </p>
<p id="Ew9yBB">But it could get worse.</p>
<p id="6YiPxE">Michael Grove starts Saturday for the Dodgers, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/9/23676464/dodgers-diamondbacks-michael-grove">coming off a very bad start in Arizona</a>, allowing nine runs while recording 10 outs. He’s allowed 12 runs on 14 hits in 7⅓ innings this season.</p>
<p id="2e1sJV">Tony Gonsolin (sprained left ankle) <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/10/23678234/tony-gonsolin-ryan-pepiot-injury-timeline-dodgers-rotation-may">won’t be back until May</a>, and Ryan Pepiot (left oblique strain) as of the other day hasn’t yet thrown a baseball. The next starter in line is Gavin Stone, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/23/23581698/dodgers-top-100-prospects-diego-cartaya-bobby-miller-miguel-vargas">a consensus top-60 prospect in baseball</a>, but he’s been shaky in two of his three starts in Triple-A Oklahoma City, with nearly as many walks (seven) as strikeouts (10) and a 7.71 ERA.</p>
<p id="TpCTM6">Stone has a much higher upside than Grove, and I’d argue it’s worth absorbing Stone’s growing pains in the majors rather than keeping Grove in the rotation.</p>
<p id="cZFPZl">With <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/3/30/23630044/los-angeles-dodgers-injured-list-tracker-2023">eight pitchers on the injured list</a>, the Dodgers have only two healthy pitchers on <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/16/23596648/dodgers-roster-2023-transactions">the 40-man roster</a> and not in the majors. Left-handers Justin Bruihl and Victor González are thriving so far for Oklahoma City. Bruihl has nine strikeouts in six scoreless innings, González has six strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA in 4⅓ innings in his four appearances.</p>
<p id="O5vOWz">If the Dodgers are concerned about the bullpen over this stretch of games, which stretches out to 19 games in 20 days through May 3, they could option Jackson on Saturday in favor of one of the Triple-A left-handers, maybe González first because he didn’t pitch Friday, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/15/23679050/dodgers-ben-casparius-hitless-innings-andy-pages-home-runs">unlike Bruihl</a>. Then they could bring up the other reliever Sunday while optioning Grove, and have a nine-man bullpen for four games.</p>
<p id="9Mxezc">Once the fifth spot in the rotation comes up again on Thursday at Wrigley Field, the Dodgers could opt for Stone, who at the moment is scheduled to start Sunday for Oklahoma City. Or they could use a bullpen game to kick the can down the road a little bit, or call up one of the Triple-A veterans — Matt Andriese or Robbie Erlin — then designate them for assignment after a start or two.</p>
<p id="ky34kK">While I would pick Stone for the next turn in the rotation, I can understand why the Dodgers wouldn’t. But the other options they have at the moment are all underwhelming. This could be a rough stretch.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/15/23684335/dodgers-pitching-andre-jackson-leverage-bullpen-michael-grove-scheduleEric Stephen2023-04-15T05:09:00-07:002023-04-15T05:09:00-07:00Notes: Bellinger, Smith, emergency catcher Muncy
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<img alt="Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Rr0nktpAyRzBQLCYGWQi9Cn6Kx0=/0x0:4812x3208/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72182907/1251829834.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="Q8ZQ75">While we ponder that with Will Smith scratched Friday night due to illness and that Max Muncy was the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> emergency catcher behind Austin Barnes, here are a few stories to start your weekend.</p>
<p id="R4Q8qx">In case you missed it, Friday was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682948/cody-bellinger-dodger-stadium-return-dodgers-cubs">Cody Bellinger’s first game at Dodger Stadium as a visitor</a>. He got a well-deserved ovation, then doubled and scored in the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> win over the Dodgers.</p>
<p id="6iwF1D">Among the takeaways from the first two weeks of the season <a href="https://view.mail.mlblists.com/messages/16814914954998a9c0f353bf1/raw">by Juan Toribio in his MLB.com newsletter</a> were the performance of J.D. Martinez and Max Muncy in the middle of the Dodgers lineup, and the struggled of the bullpen.</p>
<p id="1tPv6k">Bill Plachke at the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-04-14/cody-bellinger-dodgers-split-what-went-wrong">found a way to compare Cody Bellinger leaving the Dodgers to the Lakers breaking up Shaq and Kobe</a>, but also offered this succinct summary of the split: “In the end, the Dodgers didn’t teach well enough and Bellinger didn’t listen well enough and the breakup became inevitable.”</p>
<p id="rUJj4r">Evan Drellich at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4409306%2F2023%2F04%2F14%2Fmlb-streaming-tv-blackouts%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2023%2F4%2F15%2F23684203%2Fdodgers-cody-bellinger-will-smith-max-muncy-emergency-catcher" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">looked at the future of streamed MLB games and local broadcasts</a> in the wake of several regional sports networks going bankrupt.</p>
<p id="z2dMGD">In keeping track of the rivals, Giants ace Logan Webb inked a five-year, $90-million contract extension Friday that buys out what would have been three free agent seasons. <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2023/4/14/23683447/giants-news-logan-webb-extension">McCovey Chronicles has more</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/15/23684203/dodgers-cody-bellinger-will-smith-max-muncy-emergency-catcherEric Stephen2023-04-14T21:31:01-07:002023-04-14T21:31:01-07:00Cubs Steele win from Dodgers in opener
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<img alt="MLB: Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XnePyRASbORFXKRqMArxOZTyNPw=/0x0:4960x3307/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72182475/usa_today_20466756.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Chicago hits 5 home runs to beat LA</p> <p id="aNaxyF">LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are expected <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/13/23681153/dodgers-offense-left-handed-pitching-trayce-thompson-chris-taylor">to face left-handed starting pitchers three times in the first four games of the homestand</a>. They had trouble solving the first southpaw, as Justin Steele delivered the best start of the season to date against Los Angeles in the Cubs’ 8-2 win on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="2v4Azn">Steele struck out eight in seven innings, <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/uiQu6">the longest start of the season against the Dodgers</a>. Entering Friday, opposing starters had a 5.05 ERA against Los Angeles, averaging 4.79 innings.</p>
<p id="xMqe9r">The Dodgers did score twice off Steele, thanks to solo home runs by Chris Taylor in the third inning and Max Muncy in the seventh. The latter was the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/13/23681431/max-muncy-home-runs-small-sample-sizes">fifth home run in three starts this week for Muncy</a>, whose <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2023&month=33&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=5,d">six home runs on the season ties him for the major league lead</a>.</p>
<p id="tWj6gE">Steele, who matched his career high by pitching seven innings for the fourth time, allowed only one other hit, a single. The left-hander has a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings for the Cubs this season.</p>
<p id="o156Mt">“We couldn’t muster anything. We got one base hit and a couple homers,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But we didn’t threaten all night.”</p>
<h3 id="BT9nqz">A short walk spoiled</h3>
<p id="NgDzQG">A one-run game after seven innings was exacerbated in the eighth, when Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki hit back-to-back home runs off reliever Andre Jackson, who later in the inning allowed another solo shot to Patrick Wisdom. Jackson is the first Dodgers reliever to allow three home runs in an inning <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/jgDsQ">since Terry Mullholland on April 3, 2002</a>.</p>
<p id="1ZLTz0">“Andre’s been throwing the baseball well, but he just didn’t make good pitches,” Roberts said.</p>
<p id="n8XoGz">Jackson allowed another solo shot in the ninth, the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN195808100.shtml?__hstc=205977932.404865538b0cfb2537875cf9eb60e39e.1664308282869.1681362981307.1681530384281.114&__hssc=205977932.233.1681526254186&__hsfp=3640182760">first Dodgers reliever to allow four home runs in a game since Johnny Klippstein in 1958</a>. Jackson allowed five runs on six hits in his two innings to finish out the game.</p>
<p id="QwZMx1">Roberts suggested Jackson may have been tipping his pitches, which Jackson said was worth looking into.</p>
<p id="ME4Rqa">“Obviously it wasn’t my best stuff,” Jackson said. “It comes in waves. Maybe some tipping in there, but I definitely left a lot of pitches in the middle of the plate. I’m not sure what it is yet.”</p>
<h3 id="76uNun">Some things change, some stay the same</h3>
<p id="aldaJO">Noah Syndergaard got through six innings for the second time in three starts, but was dinged by single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. Included among them was Cody Bellinger, who doubled to lead off the fourth inning <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682948/cody-bellinger-dodger-stadium-return-dodgers-cubs">in his return to Dodger Stadium</a>, then scored on a pair of groundouts.</p>
<p id="pePTIA">Anyone who gets on base is a threat to steal against Syndergaard, including catcher Yan Gomes, who followed up his third-inning single with such a great jump that the play at second wasn’t particularly close. It was the 35-year-old Gomes’ eighth career stolen base, in 12 seasons.</p>
<p id="4lEHGO">Ian Happ followed with a two-out ground rule double that wouldn’t have scored Gomes from first base, but it did from second base. Gomes scored in more traditional fashion, with a home run in the fifth. He would homer again.</p>
<p id="oxxf2x">Syndergaard allowed a two-out double steal in the fifth inning, but was able to escape any further damage.</p>
<p id="Qn5G4V">Syndergaard has allowed 175 career stolen bases in 149 career starts, and in each of his last four full seasons (2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022) he led the majors in steals allowed by a wide margin. So far this year Syndergaard <em>doesn’t</em> lead the league but he’s allowed six steals in his three starts without a caught stealing, most on the team.</p>
<p id="XAIQM9">The stolen bases certainly don’t help, nor did Syndergaard topping out at 92.8 mph on Friday. But he did induce a season-high 16 swinging strikes against the Cubs and struck out nine in his six innings, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23681260/noah-syndergaards-los-angeles-dodgers-starting-pitcher">finishing off eight of the nine strikeouts on his changeup</a>.</p>
<h3 id="u318sy">Friday particulars</h3>
<p id="aRAia0"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Chris Taylor (3), Max Muncy (6); Yan Gomes 2 (3), Ian Happ (2), Seiya Suzuki (1), Patrick Wisdom (4)</p>
<p id="gus2TK"><strong>WP — Justin Steele (2-0)</strong>: 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 8 strikeout</p>
<p id="oJDznF"><strong>LP — Noah Syndergaard (0-2)</strong>: 6 IP, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts</p>
<h3 id="5Vbi97">Up next</h3>
<p id="409qvg">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> play an hour earlier on Saturday night (6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA), with pregame ceremonies for Jackie Robinson Day and the 50th anniversary of the Jackie Robinson foundation. Michael Grove tries to turn things around on the mound on Saturday, facing right-hander Jameson Taillon.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682945/dodgers-cubs-home-runs-justin-steele-noah-syndergaard-stealsEric Stephen2023-04-14T19:25:47-07:002023-04-14T19:25:47-07:00Cody Bellinger returns to Dodger Stadium
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<img alt="Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4dYSfkNjqcdjwYapEiq3Mw2KVo8=/0x539:3000x2539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72182300/1251831603.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="JlDPwb">LOS ANGELES — Cody Bellinger on Friday played in his 410th career game at Dodger Stadium, including the regular season and playoffs. It was his first wearing something other than a <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> uniform.</p>
<p id="L3MBTe">Before the game, fans cheered as a tribute video played at Dodger Stadium, then the crowd erupted afterward, when Bellinger tipped his cap from foul territory just behind first base, as ‘Hotel California,’ his old walk-up song played.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A warm welcome for Cody. <a href="https://t.co/uNF7IMmD1f">pic.twitter.com/uNF7IMmD1f</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1647063486642663425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a>
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<p id="riT1FK">Bellinger got another ovation before his first at-bat, leading off the second inning, and was dinged for a pitch timer violation by not being ready in the batters box in time. He grounded to first, off Noah Syndergaard.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Petty pitch clock violation alert: Cody Bellinger gets a long ovation in his first at-bat back at Dodger Stadium. Is given a violation for his troubles. <a href="https://t.co/ZUF6ARiatC">pic.twitter.com/ZUF6ARiatC</a></p>— The Comeback (@thecomeback) <a href="https://twitter.com/thecomeback/status/1647071940782301194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a>
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<p id="3i4Qtd">Now with the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, Bellinger before the game reflected on his time with the Dodgers, which ended after six seasons <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/11/18/23457353/cody-bellinger-non-tendered-dodgers-free-agent">when the outfielder was non-tendered in November</a>.</p>
<p id="HWvTyI">From <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2023/04/14/cubs-cody-bellinger-healthier-and-more-confident-embraces-return-to-los-angeles/">J.P. Hoornstra at the Orange County Register</a>:</p>
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<p id="6czW5Z"><em>Did Bellinger think he would be a Dodger forever?</em></p>
<p id="QVLIoG"><em>“At one point for sure, you know?” he said. “Life is not always planned, as we all know as we grow older. God works in mysterious ways. I just try to be in the moment and appreciate what comes next for me.”</em></p>
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<p id="XvM3IK">Bellinger with the Dodgers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/11/13/16636438/cody-bellinger-rookie-of-the-year-dodgers-national-league-bbwaa">won the National League Rookie of the Year in 2017</a>, was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2019/11/14/20965498/cody-bellinger-receives-nl-mvp-award-dodgers-bbwaa">voted NL MVP in 2019</a>, hit a <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/18/21522051/cody-bellinger-home-run-julio-urias-legend-dodgers-game-7-nlcs-pennant">pennant-winning home run in Game 7 of the 2020 NLCS</a> en route to a championship, then <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/nlds-2021-dodgers-giants/2021/10/15/22728400/cody-bellinger-los-angeles-dodgers-2021-nlds-san-francisco-giants-mlb-postseason">delivered the NLDS-winning single in the ninth inning of Game 5</a> between the 106-win Dodgers and 107-win Giants in 2021.</p>
<p id="88jvZS">After that pennant-winning home run, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/19/21522714/los-angeles-dodgers-cody-bellinger-kike-hernandez-mlb-news-atlanta-braves">Bellinger separated his shoulder during the celebration</a>, setting in motion of chain of misfortune that derailed his time with the Dodgers. In his first four seasons, Bellinger hit .273/.364/.547 with a 137 wRC+.</p>
<p id="OQ9Hrb">But <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/11/17/21572327/cody-bellinger-injury-shoulder-surgery-dislocation-dodgers-nlcs-home-run">after shoulder surgery</a> and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/29/22458477/cody-bellinger-activated-dodgers-injured-list-fractured-fibula">a broken fibula</a> that <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/12/10/22825006/cody-bellinger-2021-dodgers-review">derailed his 2021 season</a>, followed by several swing changes in trying find his old form and compensate for those injuries, Bellinger hit just .193/.256/.355 with a 69 wRC+ over the last two seasons, one of the worst hitters in baseball.</p>
<p id="mt1vWM">Bellinger <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/12/21/23479456/cody-bellinger-2022-dodgers-review">redefined the concept of ceilings and floors</a>. </p>
<p id="JHNzj2">“If you’re looking at the whole body of work, he was a heck of a ballplayer,” manager Dave Roberts said before Friday’s game. “Why he wasn’t an MVP or an All-Star every year? Because it’s hard. Why wasn’t he as consistent as he would have liked, we would have liked? I think the injury had something to do with it. That’s why it’s so difficult. There’s no one answer.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts praises Cody Bellinger for his time with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> and is ready to battle against him in this series. <a href="https://t.co/NQnYdLf3gZ">pic.twitter.com/NQnYdLf3gZ</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1647050354566270976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a>
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<p id="Ghma0z">“Cody has to take responsibility for it. Us as coaches have to take responsibility for it. Sometimes maybe a different voice can re-unlock some things for him. Because you can’t debate the skillset or the talent.”</p>
<p id="B1rGi4">Before Bellinger’s return Friday, Jack Harris at the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-04-14/dodgers-cody-bellinger-dave-roberts-career-slide-chicago-cubs">chronicled the ups and downs of the outfielder’s six seasons in Los Angeles</a>, from Rookie of the Year to MVP to injuries and the multitude of swing changes that followed during two down seasons.</p>
<p id="RqQoXN">Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4413783%2F2023%2F04%2F14%2Fcody-bellinger-dodger-stadium-return%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2023%2F4%2F14%2F23682948%2Fcody-bellinger-dodger-stadium-return-dodgers-cubs" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">also recounted Bellinger’s time with the Dodgers</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="PexXFM"><em>“Each time he came up, I felt like that was going to be the moment where things really turned,” Friedman said. “It never really got there in a sustained way.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="CfNZBr">“I hope he does well. I hope he has a great career, and Chicago treats him well,” Clayton Kershaw said in an interview with David Vassegh for SportsNet LA (<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1647048893421731842">starts at about 1:50</a>). “I love Belli. I really want to see him get going this year.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“It gonna be weird...I hope he has a great career and I hope Chicago treats him well.” Clayton Kershaw expresses how much he misses Cody and wants him to succeed in his future before the first matchup against him. <a href="https://t.co/tZViBro5E9">pic.twitter.com/tZViBro5E9</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1647048893421731842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a>
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<p id="m1jEEi">“The fans here showed me nothing but love for seven years,” <a href="https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/1647013239597993985">Bellinger said before the game</a>, “so I’m excited to go out and roam center field”</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682948/cody-bellinger-dodger-stadium-return-dodgers-cubsEric Stephen2023-04-14T18:49:00-07:002023-04-14T18:49:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Cubs Game I chat
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<p id="zlZeHf">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> start a weekend series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup in LA! <a href="https://t.co/PWUzuyLZTE">pic.twitter.com/PWUzuyLZTE</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1647011065866141696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> lineup vs. Cubs: <a href="https://t.co/TO1xWeN1JQ">pic.twitter.com/TO1xWeN1JQ</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1646998461966090240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="GoSRG8">Game info</h3>
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<li id="ZL3WE1">Teams: Dodgers vs. Cubs</li>
<li id="tQFNfP">Stadium: Dodger Stadium</li>
<li id="ipxAAz">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="yx3Lxu">TV: SportsNet LA</li>
<li id="dwj5Kq">Radio: AM 570 (English); KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)</li>
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https://www.truebluela.com/23682934/dodgers-cubs-game-chatEric Stephen2023-04-14T05:02:00-07:002023-04-14T05:02:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Cubs series info
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<p>Cody Bellinger’s return to Dodger Stadium</p> <p id="U37GoL">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home to face the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> for a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium, with Friday night the return of Cody Bellinger to Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="5RnHvO">Expect a nice standing ovation for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2019/11/14/20965498/cody-bellinger-receives-nl-mvp-award-dodgers-bbwaa">former National League MVP</a>, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/11/13/16636438/cody-bellinger-rookie-of-the-year-dodgers-national-league-bbwaa">Rookie of the Year</a>, two-time All-Star who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/10/18/21522051/cody-bellinger-home-run-julio-urias-legend-dodgers-game-7-nlcs-pennant">hit a pennant-winning home run for the Dodgers in 2020</a>. Bellinger, who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/11/18/23457353/cody-bellinger-non-tendered-dodgers-free-agent">was non-tendered by the Dodgers in November</a>, after two down seasons, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/12/6/23479437/cody-bellinger-cubs-free-agent-contract">signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in December</a>.</p>
<p id="6atiGI">So far this season, Bellinger is hitting .238/.298/.405 with two home runs and nine RBI in 11 games for Chicago.</p>
<p id="GxbGyR">This is the second of two consecutive weekend series between the Dodgers and Cubs, who will also play four games next weekend at Wrigley Field in Chicago.</p>
<p id="w2LK0x">The Dodgers will <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/13/23681153/dodgers-offense-left-handed-pitching-trayce-thompson-chris-taylor">face a pair of left-handed starters to bookend the series</a>.</p>
<h3 id="12RgWK">Dodgers vs. Cubs series info</h3>
<p id="MArPuX"><strong>Friday, 7:10 p.m.</strong><br>Noah Syndergaard vs. Justin Steele (L)<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="IPwtaH"><strong>Saturday, 6:10 p.m.</strong><br>Michael Grove vs. Jameson Taillon<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="GmCMSk"><strong>Sunday, 1:10 p.m.</strong><br>Julio Urías vs. Drew Smyly (L)<br><em>SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)</em></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/14/23682909/dodgers-schedule-cubs-game-time-tv-pitchingEric Stephen2023-04-13T08:51:00-07:002023-04-13T08:51:00-07:00Dodgers will get their licks against LHP on the homestand
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<img alt="Dodgers right-handed batters Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor have started each of the three games against left-handers so far this season. Los Angeles is likely to face three more left-handers on the six-game homestand beginning Friday, a chance for Taylor and Thompson to shake recent slumps." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lcuJCJhbavtd_YrQhS4FYmqXmdU=/0x533:4810x3740/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72177032/1433473400.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dodgers right-handed batters Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor have started each of the three games against left-handers so far this season. Los Angeles is likely to face three more left-handers on the six-game homestand beginning Friday, a chance for Taylor and Thompson to shake recent slumps. | Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="TT39uA">When the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home this weekend, they will face two left-handed starters, with Justin Steele pitching for the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> Friday and Drew Smyly on Sunday. It will give Los Angeles chances to improve a relative weak point for the offense, and perhaps a chance for some slumping hitters to get back on track.</p>
<p id="QzDMhO">Only three of the Dodgers’ 13 games to date have been against left-handed starting pitchers — two Madison Bumgarner starts and one by Alex Wood. That’s only 23 percent of their games so far, compared to southpaws starting 31 percent of all major league games to date.</p>
<p id="0zOT4B">Depending on how the schedule shakes out, the Dodgers on the homestand might also face David Peterson, the lone left-hander in the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> rotation.</p>
<p id="G5gD5D">The Dodgers are hitting .195/.382/.415 against left-handed pitchers this season. The low batting average stands out — <a href="https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/batting-average?split=vl">29th in MLB through Wednesday</a> — but that overall line is <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2023&month=13&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=16,d">a 122 wRC+ against lefties</a>, buoyed by a ridiculous 22-percent walk rate (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/12/23681374/max-muncy-home-runs-clayton-kershaw-giants">just ask Taylor Rogers</a>). That wRC+ is still well above average, but trails <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2023&month=14&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=16,d">the Dodgers’ 130 wRC+ against right-handers</a>.</p>
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<p id="IIEUCo">But that’s been the story for a few years. In the previous five seasons, the Dodgers have finished in the top three in the majors in wRC+ against right-handed pitchers four times. But they haven’t finished in the top six in wRC+ against lefties since 2017, though they’ve been above average against southpaws in each of those years. This year, that 122 wRC+ ranks eighth in the majors, compared to fourth against righties.</p>
<p id="qVDpiX">The Dodgers have again been above average against left-handed pitchers this season, even though it doesn’t seem like it with the low batting average. They lost two of the three games started by a southpaw, even though neither Bumgarner (twice) nor Wood were able to complete five innings against LA, and they walked more in those three starts (13) than they struck out (12).</p>
<p id="7kLwi8">Where the Dodgers have been carved up by left-handed pitchers is later in games, out of the bullpen. Against southpaw relievers, the Dodgers have just six hits in 35 at-bats, hitting .171/.356/.371 with a 26.7-percent strikeout rate.</p>
<p id="CPIr7U">Two of those hits against lefty relievers came Wednesday night against old friend Scott Alexander, including a home run by Max Muncy, his first hit in eight at-bats against southpaws this season.</p>
<p id="WT73dy">This is all a small sample size of course, as the Dodgers have batted only 110 times against left-handed pitching this season. But the main difference in the lineup against southpaws is that Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor have started, and both have struggled to varying degrees.</p>
<p id="nSEgiP">Thompson started off with a bang, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/1/23666495/trayce-thompson-hits-three-home-runs-in-10-1-win-over-d-backs">hitting three home runs with eight RBI in his first game of the season</a>. But two of those three home runs were against right-handers, and after the first-inning grand slam against Bumgarner, Thompson is hitless in eight at-bats with five strikeouts. Thompson does have five hits in 10 at-bats against right-handers though. Again, small sample sizes here.</p>
<p id="WlCWyH">Taylor has been a mess at the plate so far against pretty much everyone, just 3-for-33 (.091/.139/.273) with a 41.7-percent strikeout rate <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=30&type=1&season=2023&month=33&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2023-01-01&enddate=2023-12-31&sort=5,d">that’s tops in the majors among hitters with at least 30 plate appearances</a>.</p>
<p id="L3ncZQ">Manager Dave Roberts said during the Freeway Series that <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/3/25/23655725/chris-taylor-spring-training-struggles-strikeouts-dodgers">given Taylor’s struggles this spring</a> and after a rough injury-plagued 2022, his <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/3/26/23657565/chris-taylor-playing-time-left-handed-pitchers-dodgers-lineup">best chance for playing time would be against left-handers this season</a>. Taylor has played a bit more than that, filling in at shortstop when Miguel Rojas missed five games with a left groin strain. Taylor has started nine of 13 games, and Rojas <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/12/23681373/miguel-rojas-injury-dodgers-left-hamstring-cramp">suffered a left hamstring cramp on Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p id="A94R3x">So far against lefties this year, Taylor has one hit in seven at-bats, a home run against Bumgarner. Taylor is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts against all pitchers since that home run.</p>
<p id="gH99nv">Thompson was a revelation last season in his three-plus months with the Dodgers, but most of his damage against right-handed pitching. He stated multiple times during spring training <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4318772%2F2023%2F03%2F17%2Fdodgers-mlb-trayce-thompson-roster-lefties%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2023%2F4%2F13%2F23681153%2Fdodgers-offense-left-handed-pitching-trayce-thompson-chris-taylor" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">that his goal</a> was to <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/04/trayce-thompson-figures-in-dodgers-plans-despite-unexpected-reverse-splits/">hit left-handers this season</a>.</p>
<p id="Vvw65Q">“It left a bad taste in my mouth on the year,” <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-02-24/dodgers-trayce-thompson-clear-goal-2023-guy-versus-lefties">Thompson told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times in February</a>. “It’s something that — I want to be <em>the guy </em>versus lefties … So there’s a lot of work to do.”</p>
<p id="ta6be1">Thompson and Taylor will get a few chances to do that work on this homestand.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/13/23681153/dodgers-offense-left-handed-pitching-trayce-thompson-chris-taylorEric Stephen