True Blue LA - April 25: Dodgers 8, Pirates 7Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2023-04-25T18:45:52-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/234595282023-04-25T18:45:52-07:002023-04-25T18:45:52-07:00Chris Taylor’s 3-run homer caps big Dodgers comeback
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T6MCcF5YwT2iQw6AFwP1kiO4hYw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72217372/1252182274.0.jpg" />
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<p>The Dodgers with their biggest comeback win of the season</p> <p id="SGHqaU">One can look for extra meaning in individual wins over the course of a regular season, though more often than not there’s nothing to be found. Nevertheless, this wasn’t your ordinary 8-7 win for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> over the Pirates at PNC Park.</p>
<p id="S1Twao">The Dodgers entered Tuesday’s game without their two hottest hitters, in Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez, the former on paternity leave, and the latter day-to-day with a small back issue. Not to mention Will Smith, who was ruled out for this road trip still recovering from a concussion.</p>
<h3 id="znDtN0">A spurned comeback that just kept coming</h3>
<p id="swkvsx">The Dodgers' offense actually got lucky against Johan Oviedo, the Pirates starter, and the first inning was a good omen of things to come. Miguel Vargas drove in two runners on a pop-fly that found just the right spot to drop, hit at a more 66.3 MPH, giving the visiting team, a two-run lead.</p>
<p id="bQ90U3">Throughout his entire outing, Oviedo allowed only a pair of hard-hit balls, yet the Dodgers' lineup managed to muster up eight base runners on six hits and a couple of walks.</p>
<p id="t5Ckis">By the time Oviedo left the game, the Dodgers were already trailing big, as the Pirates put up seven runs on Noah Syndergaard, but even with a depleted offense, this team refused to quit and kept chipping away.</p>
<p id="iw70GZ">Three of the first four batters reached base in the sixth inning, trailing 7-3, which set up a big opportunity for the rookie Michael Busch, making his big league debut, and the designated hitter notched his first hit and RBI.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to The Show, Michael Busch! <a href="https://t.co/8TIgraiqhM">pic.twitter.com/8TIgraiqhM</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1651016303027666944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a>
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<p id="cB2kDm">After another RBI single, this time from Chris Taylor, and a pop fl by Austin Barnes, the table was set for Mookie Betts with two outs, as the go-ahead run at the plate, and the Dodgers’ shortstop hit what looked like a three-run bomb, but ultimately got robbed by the left fielder, Jack Suwinski.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ADD THAT TO THE HIGHLIGHT REEL <a href="https://t.co/ehJiDSSG3R">pic.twitter.com/ehJiDSSG3R</a></p>— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1651018443791949826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a>
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<p id="vAqlYc">After all of that, you’re still down two runs, it’d be easy to check out of this one, but, a couple of innings later, it was the rookies’ turn again, to set the table, with both Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch reaching base, which gave Taylor an opportunity to be hero, and boy did he take it.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GO-AHEAD CT3-RUN HOMER! <a href="https://t.co/2amNRpABOk">pic.twitter.com/2amNRpABOk</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1651025432442191874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="DwRrr9">Noah Syndergaard’s roller coaster of a season continues</h3>
<p id="XGhTwf">The Pirates entered tonight’s game with the number six offense in runs scored in the National League, with 111 runs in 23 games. Where this club will be at the end of the season it is not the point to speculate here, but the fact of the matter is that right now, Pittsburgh is a dangerous offense.</p>
<p id="MFEjFt">That danger was particularly true to Syndergaard, as the right-hander might single-handedly be the worst pitcher at holding runners in the majors. The Pittsburgh Pirates lead the National League in stolen bases with 28 on the young season, including three off Syndergaard.</p>
<p id="6WNfl3">Syndergaard had already allowed six stolen bases before this game, which made him number one in the National League. It stood to reason that if the Pirates got on base against him, they were going to run wild, and that’s exactly what they did.</p>
<p id="5PBP0Q">The Dodgers’ starter never had a rhythm all night long, he allowed three stolen bases, and in none of those times did he truly give Austin Barnes a realistic chance to throw out the runner. It was simply too easy for Pittsburgh.</p>
<p id="5SUSlt">However, as much as we can focus on the running game aspect, what did Syndergaard in was his inability to eliminate hitters with any consistency. Overall, the Bucs roughed him up for seven runs on nine hits, capped by an Andrew McCutchen three-run bomb.</p>
<p id="PcAf8K">To highlight Syndergaard’s inconsistency, he has three quality starts in five games, and yet owns the worst ERA in the rotation, at 6.58.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Noah Syndergaard is done tonight. Final line: 4 innings, 7 runs, 9 hits, 2 strikeouts<br><br>Syndergaard has a quality start (6+ ip, 3 runs or less) in 3 of 5 outings this year, yet still has a 6.58 ERA</p>— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Harris/status/1651012648014876672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="MeMThy">Bullpen was the unsung hero</h3>
<p id="B0aQH5">One of the focal points for this disappointing start to the Dodgers season has been the shaky work out of the bullpen, and while the offense gets all the credit for this comeback, it would not have happened, if it weren’t for the bullpen pitching five scoreless after Syndergaard’s blowup.</p>
<p id="WjXTqc">Victor González made his 2023 debut and worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Pirates off the board. Evan Philips returned from the paternity list to shove, which is business as usual, and Yency Almonte looked a lot more like his 2022 self with a scoreless seventh</p>
<p id="3Mdvnc">The eighth inning was the one that made you sweat as Caleb Ferguson took it to the wire, reaching a 3-1 count on Andrew McCutchen with the bases loaded and a one run-lead, but luckily for the Dodgers, McCutchen popped it up, and the lead was salvaged.</p>
<p id="Gm1EJM">In the ninth inning, with Evan Phillips already used, and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23693954/dodgers-roster-evan-phillips-activated-paternity-list">Brusdar Graterol on the paternity list</a>, it was up to Shelby Miller to close the door, and he did so swiftly, with a strikeout looking to end the night.</p>
<h3 id="PjA4v2">Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p id="leRQxz"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Chris Taylor (5), Andrew McCutchen (5)</p>
<p id="vUbh0R"><strong>WP — Yency Almonte (2-0)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 strikeouts</p>
<p id="A8hZ8c"><strong>LP — Colin Holdermann (0-1)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="9gECBa"><strong>SV —- Shelby Miller (1) </strong>1 IP, 1 strikeout</p>
<h3 id="QvYG9t">Up next</h3>
<p id="4cBQo7">Tony Gonsolin makes his 2023 debut on Wednesday (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23693731/dodgers-schedule-pirates-game-time-pnc-park-tv-pitching">3:35 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA</a>), after missing the first 24 games on the injured list with a sprained left ankle. Roansy Contreras starts for Pittsburgh.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23698363/chris-taylor-home-run-dodgers-bullpen-comeback-piratesEstevão Maximo2023-04-25T15:12:00-07:002023-04-25T15:12:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Pirates Game I chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tL0PK4lCVzuOOyguvmontgIqy9k=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72216780/1402037991.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="oGW5wu">New day, new series for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, who are in Pittsburgh battling the Pirates, owners of the best record in the National League.</p>
<p id="G607HR">Noah Syndergaard is on the mound, making his fifth start of the season. Michael Busch <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23697135/michael-busch-designated-hitter-major-league-debut-mookie-betts-shortstop-dodgers-lineup">is the DH in his major league debut</a>.</p>
<h3 id="ESWRuX">Lineups</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to work. <br><br> AT&T SportsNet <br> 93.7 The Fan | The PRN <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBucs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBucs</a> <a href="https://t.co/fkd01W8Cj7">pic.twitter.com/fkd01W8Cj7</a></p>— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1650939611068112912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> lineup at Pirates: <a href="https://t.co/Ctov1GhrUL">pic.twitter.com/Ctov1GhrUL</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1650946136226799616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="fdr9Tx">Game info</h3>
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<li id="ZL3WE1">Teams: Dodgers at Pirates</li>
<li id="tQFNfP">Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh</li>
<li id="ipxAAz">Time: 3:35 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/23695480/dodgers-pirates-game-chatEric Stephen2023-04-25T12:55:49-07:002023-04-25T12:55:49-07:00Michael Busch at DH in his major league debut
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<img alt="Michael Busch (77) takes the plate as the Oklahoma City Dodgers face the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 27, 2022." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nqillAWl2NFk5iI2Hgg6cm8Jm8g=/0x0:3518x2345/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72216159/usa_today_18765788.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan J. Fish/The Oklahoman / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p id="6biJvm">Mookie Betts is back at shortstop for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, making his second straight start at the position and the first two of his career there. Also in the lineup Michael Busch making his major league debut at designated hitter, batting seventh on Tuesday against the Pirates at PNC Park.</p>
<p id="FKCgri">Busch was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday in <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23693954/dodgers-roster-evan-phillips-activated-paternity-list">the group of roster moves that included Max Muncy being placed on the paternity list</a>. Chris Taylor starts at third base.</p>
<p id="vioQrE">Busch was off to a strong start with Oklahoma City, reaching base in all 21 games and hitting .337/.461/.506 with eight doubles and two home runs. He was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/23/23581698/dodgers-top-100-prospects-diego-cartaya-bobby-miller-miguel-vargas">rated among the top 75 prospects in MLB entering the season by five national publications</a>.</p>
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<p id="zvtez1">In the minors, Busch played mostly second base, with a smattering of first base and even left field last season. This year, seven of his first 10 starts came at second base, but he moved to third base two weeks ago and played nine of his last 11 games at the position, the first time Busch had ever played third base.</p>
<p id="kFpKDp">Busch’s start on Tuesday snaps a string of 23 consecutive starts by J.D. Martinez at designated hitter. Busch and Miguel Vargas are the only Dodgers to make their major league debut as the starting DH.</p>
<p id="04ldnG">The last four years have been <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/GpHRT">a relatively strong stretch of Dodgers hitters who started in their major league debuts</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li id="hX1FDq">Miguel Vargas (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/8/4/23291766/miguel-vargas-mlb-debut">August 3, 2022</a>): 2-for-4, double, 2 RBI, stolen base</li>
<li id="fownUi">James Outman (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/7/31/23286318/james-outman-three-hits-home-run-major-league-debut-dodgers-rockies-mike-piazza">July 31, 2022</a>): 3-for-4, home run*, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs</li>
<li id="WOEIdl">Zach Reks (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/21/22544275/dodgers-zach-reks-mlb-news-edwin-uceta">June 21, 2021</a>): 0-for-2</li>
<li id="cbRxH7">Keibert Ruiz (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/8/16/21371413/dodgers-keibert-ruiz-mlb-news-angels-recap-mookie-betts">August 16, 2020</a>): 1-for-4, home run*</li>
<li id="kkUTjF">Gavin Lux (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2019/9/2/20845408/dodgers-rockies-recap-joc-pederson-abdominal-contusion-gavin-lux-debut">September 2, 2019</a>): 2-for-5, double, 3 runs</li>
<li id="sNhZJi">Will Smith (<a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2019/5/28/18643708/dodgers-mets-bullpen-scott-alexander">May 28, 2019</a>): 2-for-4, double, run</li>
</ul>
<p id="JjWmES"><em>*Outman and Ruiz each homered in their first major league at-bat</em></p>
<p id="k0DIRo">Busch is wearing number 83 in his debut, the same number he wore during spring training.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23697135/michael-busch-designated-hitter-major-league-debut-mookie-betts-shortstop-dodgers-lineupEric Stephen2023-04-25T12:51:50-07:002023-04-25T12:51:50-07:00Dodgers activate Evan Phillips from paternity list
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<img alt="New York Mets v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nPpmJhFF239BC_iEcJQMd0SRYeg=/0x0:5325x3550/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72216148/1483321404.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="xGrncj">Evan Phillips was activated off the paternity list before Tuesday’s game against the Pirates at PNC Park, rejoining a <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> bullpen coming off of a strong series in Chicago.</p>
<p id="DxhrwT">Phillips was one of a series of roster moves by the Dodgers on Tuesday, including <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/24/23696631/dodgers-roster-max-muncy-brusdar-graterol-paternity-list-michael-busch">the previously-reported paternity list stays for both Max Muncy and Brusdar Graterol</a>. Infielder Michael Busch was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his major league debut in Pittsburgh.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="cdzgn7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Michael Busch is DH in his MLB debut","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23697135/michael-busch-designated-hitter-major-league-debut-mookie-betts-shortstop-dodgers-lineup"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="HWRwZ4">At Wrigley Field, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/21/23692312/dodgers-offense-dear-lord-why-drew-smyly-julio-urias-oof-cubs">Friday’s blowout loss</a> was the outlier, falling behind early. Jake Reed allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/22/23692899/dodgers-roster-victor-gonzalez-jake-reed-dfa">was designated for assignment the next day</a>, and then Andre Jackson soaked up three innings while throwing 55 pitches and position player Luke Williams pitching the eighth inning.</p>
<p id="iIJrC2">But in the other three games, the Dodgers bullpen allowed two runs in 12⅔ innings, with 12 strikeouts and five walks. That included six scoreless innings of relief in Thursday’s series opener in Chicago after <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/20/23692174/michael-grove-injury-dodgers-pitching-depth">starter Michael Grove left with a groin injury</a>.</p>
<p id="dRULNl">Phillips missed five games. </p>
<p id="vIfu11">This season has pitched in eight games, with a 3.86 ERA in seven innings, with eight strikeouts and one walk. His 28.6-percent strikeout rate is third-best on the team, and Phillips leads the staff with two saves this season.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23693954/dodgers-roster-evan-phillips-activated-paternity-listEric Stephen2023-04-25T08:36:00-07:002023-04-25T08:36:00-07:00Breaking down Pirates starter Johan Oviedo
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<img alt="MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kBs7JSmdbsSZZbkodZDLqcP9V2o=/0x0:3680x2453/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72215084/usa_today_20464946.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="FfoTBo">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> offense is coming off of a strong series against the Cubs in Chicago. They were shut out in the second game on Friday, but in the other three games they scored 22 combined runs. The Dodgers are starting this week going up against a surging Pirates team who have been led by a starting pitcher who quietly has been one of the best pitchers in the league thus far in Johan Oviedo. </p>
<p id="JU7HkG">The right-hander has a 2.22 ERA and is coming off of a season where he had a 3.21 ERA and 3.17 xERA. Down below we are going to break down what has helped get Oviedo off to such a hot start and what the Dodgers should expect to see on Tuesday. </p>
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<h4 id="kej45v">Pitch #1: Slider, 2023 usage rate - 40 percent</h4>
<div id="qQ1Kpn"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/mike-moustakas-strikes-out-swinging-dpaydk" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="835YQq"><em>2023 stats - .174 xBA, .240 xSLG, .222 xwOBA </em></p>
<p id="804584"><em>Average velo - 89.0 MPH - Spin rate - 2,491 RPM - vertical movement - 30.4 inches - horizontal movement - 4.9 inches</em> </p>
<p id="sQSeQ6">Oviedo’s slider has undergone a rather large overhaul. Last season he was throwing it at 85.7 MPH with 35.5 inches of vertical movement, this season, as shown above, is very different. The increase in velocity has made it a far more effective pitch as shown by the metrics against it. The whiff rate against his slider this season is 37.8 percent, the highest mark amongst all of his pitches. The chase whiff percentage this year is an eye-popping 90 percent, so it is almost a guarantee that if a batter fishes for this pitch, they are not making contact. His mark on it was 58.8 percent last season, which it likely will grow closer to as the season progresses. But it shows us just how dominant this pitch is for Oviedo. When facing left-handed batters, Oviedo’s usage rate on this pitch dips down to 31.3 percent, but against righties it’s 50 percent, the highest amongst all of his pitches. </p>
<h4 id="9hfVgs">Pitch #2: Four seam fastball, 2023 usage rate - 31.9 percent</h4>
<div id="GwZYPF"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/johan-oviedo-swinging-strike-to-charlie-blackmon" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="V0E7ez"><em>2023 stats - .322 xBA, .664 xSLG, .437 xwOBA </em></p>
<p id="FG9hGs"><em>Average velo - 96.3 MPH - Spin rate - 2,216 RPM - vertical movement - 19.4 inches (5.5 inches below average) - horizontal movement - 8.8 inches</em> </p>
<p id="wiMkCS">The usage rate on this pitch has dropped in every season of Oviedo’s Major League career with this year’s rate being 11.5 percent lower than last years. When behind in the count, surprisingly, this is Oviedo’s second most used pitch at 29 percent, with his slider being the highest. This season batters have not swung at this pitch as often as you would think with an in-zone swing percentage of 52.1 percent. The chase percentage on the pitch is also just 19.4 percent. Despite this pitch being thrown at an average of 96.3 MPH the average exit velocity off the bat of hitters is just 85.7 MPH, down 4 MPH from last season. Left handers see this pitch from Oviedo 33.9 percent of the time, the highest amongst all of his pitches. </p>
<h4 id="v59lzX">Pitch #3: Curveball, 2023 usage rate - 21.7 percent</h4>
<div id="4D1Ymk"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/johan-oviedo-swinging-strike-to-harold-castro" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="zqF9T3"><em>2023 stats - .130 xBA, .157 xSLG, .149 xwOBA </em></p>
<p id="oMBRwi"><em>Average velo - 80.6 MPH - Spin rate - 2,399 RPM - vertical movement - 43.7 inches (7.7 inches below average) - horizontal movement - 8.6 inches</em> </p>
<p id="JtOOex">When Oviedo throws his curveball, it is almost always thrown out of the strike zone. The out of zone percentage on it this season is 72.2 percent, an 11.1 percent decrease from last season. The chase rate on the pitch though is just 30.8 percent. Despite an average launch angle of 12 degrees this season and 25 last season, hitters have a ground ball rate of 52.9 percent this year, but the fly ball rate is 41.2 percent, the highest amongst all of his offerings. The usage rate on the pitch slightly drops when batters are ahead in the count as it dips down to 19.4 percent, with three balls though the usage dips to 15 percent. Oviedo rarely throws this pitch to right-handed batters as its delivered just 15.5 percent of the time to them. </p>
<p id="GCW9Cj"><em>Did not include changeup and sinker which he has only used a combined 23 times this season. </em></p>
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<h4 id="6zJcWF">Key matchup to watch: J.D. Martinez</h4>
<p id="mPMgzF">Despite the back of the baseball card showing J.D. Martinez is off to a slow start with only a .250 batting average and .306 on base percentage, he has been tearing the cover off the ball according to the analytics. Martinez has an xBA of .292 and xwOBA of .383, both of which are high-end numbers. </p>
<p id="xHxwqn">He hits in arguably the most important spot of the Dodgers lineup as after him in the cleanup spot, there is not a whole lot in terms of run producing. As a result, if the Dodgers want to succeed against, and his slider/four seam mix it is going to fall largely on the shoulders of Martinez. This does look like a matchup he should dominate as besides last season he has historically thrived against both pitches and already has a combined run value of five against those two pitches. Against all other pitches he has a RV of one. </p>
<p id="lcYWNS"><strong>Prediction</strong>: Oviedo throws 5 ⅔ innings, allows two earned runs and strikes out six. </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23696766/dodgers-pirates-johan-oviedo-breakdownDevin Csigi2023-04-25T05:07:00-07:002023-04-25T05:07:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Pirates series info
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7o2z5gJgnO_0g3aWwDQELkt6tNY=/0x0:2837x1891/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72214308/1403119018.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="uXlWwr">After Monday’s off day, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> finish off the road trip facing the hottest team in baseball. The Pirates have won seven straight games, and enter Tuesday with the best record in the National League at 16-7.</p>
<p id="0p5Rjm">The Dodgers are 12-11, and hot in their own right, in a relative sense, having won two straight games for the first time in two and a half weeks.</p>
<p id="o15z2w">Catcher Will Smith <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/23/23694475/dodgers-james-outman-max-muncy-will-smith-concussion">isn’t expected to play in the series at PNC Park</a>, as he recovers from his concussion. That will take his injured list stint to 13 games missed. Wednesday’s spot in the rotation was vacated when <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/20/23692174/michael-grove-injury-dodgers-pitching-depth">Michael Grove strained his right groin in Chicago</a>, but that spot’s expected to be filled by Tony Gonsolin, who <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/20/23691424/tony-gonsolin-minor-league-rehab-start-ankle-injury">struck out seven in three-plus innings in a rehab start last Thursday</a>.</p>
<p id="pbSbGu">Pittsburgh lost 100 games last season, but won five of six games against the 111-win Dodgers.</p>
<h3 id="z1oria">Dodgers vs. Pirates pitching probables</h3>
<p id="IPwtaH"><strong>Tuesday, 3:35 p.m. PT</strong><br>Noah Syndergaard vs. Johan Oviedo<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="GmCMSk"><strong>Wednesday, 3:35 p.m. PT</strong><br>Tony Gonsolin vs. Roansy Contreras<br><em>SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="qOP0YE"><strong>Thursday, 9:35 a.m.</strong><br>Julio Urías vs. Mitch Keller<br><em>SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)</em></p>
<p id="Hk3Q2a"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/25/23693731/dodgers-schedule-pirates-game-time-pnc-park-tv-pitchingEric Stephen2023-04-24T15:12:13-07:002023-04-24T15:12:13-07:00Report: Muncy, Graterol on paternity list, Busch to join Dodgers
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<img alt="2020 World Series Game 6: Los Angeles Dodgers v. Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kMs7avr2p-ZifAFvnvRWkFeAZzg=/0x0:3421x2281/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72212871/1229318112.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean Berry/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="SqyTsx">Max Muncy and Brusdar Graterol will be placed on the paternity list before the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>’ series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, per multiple reports, and Michael Busch is set to make his major league debut, coming up from Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
<p id="X87Mjj">Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times was the <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1650577494364545024">first to report the Muncy and Busch news</a>, which was <a href="https://twitter.com/juanctoribio/status/1650578151175512088">confirmed by Juan Toribio at MLB.com</a>. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4442919%2F2023%2F04%2F23%2Fdodgers-max-muncy-mookie-betts%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2023%2F4%2F24%2F23696631%2Fdodgers-roster-max-muncy-brusdar-graterol-paternity-list-michael-busch" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">on Sunday first reported Graterol would land on the paternity list</a>, which was <a href="https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Harris/status/1650585397846482952">confirmed by Jack Harris of the LA Times</a>.</p>
<p id="TFSWNT">This makes four Dodgers on the paternity list in the last week. Mookie Betts and his wife Brianna <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrZRJVRvgAD/">welcomed a son, Kaj Lynn Betts, on April 18</a>. Betts was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/20/23689212/dodgers-roster-mookie-betts-activated-evan-phillips-paternity-list-yonny-hernandez-andre-jackson">activated on Thursday</a> in Chicago after missing two games.</p>
<p id="OPsB59">Evan Phillips was placed on the paternity list on Thursday. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters at Wrigley Field on Sunday, “Evan will be back. Our expectation is Tuesday in Pittsburgh,” <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1650194531210653696">per SportsNet LA</a>. Presumably, Phillips’ activation would be the corresponding roster move to replace Graterol in the bullpen.</p>
<p id="AJ4YsT">Muncy and his wife Kellie <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkmCIjagTZ4/">announced in November that they were expecting their second child</a>, a son. Graterol and his wife Alison <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpN2qq7pU94/">in February announced they were expecting a baby girl</a>.</p>
<p id="9Jhxkq">Busch is off to a strong start in Triple-A, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/22/23688774/dodgers-jonny-deluca-home-runs-michael-busch-on-base-streak">reaching base in all 21 games</a> while hitting .337/.461/.506 with a 147 wRC+ with eight doubles, two home runs for Oklahoma City, third in the Pacific League in walks (18) with a below-average strikeout rate (18.6 percent).</p>
<p id="ULflnn">Busch was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/23/23581698/dodgers-top-100-prospects-diego-cartaya-bobby-miller-miguel-vargas">named to preseason top-100 prospect lists</a> by Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, Baseball Prospectus, The Athletic, and FanGraphs, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/22/23581672/dodgers-prospects-fangraphs-top-100">topping out at the latter with a No. 46 ranking</a>.</p>
<p id="6pAXhw">More relevant to his current duties with Muncy out for between one and three days, Busch has played nine of his last 11 games at third base, his first time ever at the position either professionally or in college at North Carolina. Busch this season also started nine games at second base and three games at first base.</p>
<p id="J9Wkt2">The Dodgers are facing all right-handed starting pitchers in Pittsburgh, with Johan Oviedo, Roansy Contreras, and Mitch Keller on the mound in the series, which should create opportunities for the left-handed-batting Busch. Since the start of 2021, Busch has hit .287/.387/.530 against right-handed pitchers, and .249/.367/.435 against southpaws.</p>
<p id="Cj9kNE"> </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/4/24/23696631/dodgers-roster-max-muncy-brusdar-graterol-paternity-list-michael-buschEric Stephen