True Blue LA - September 16: Dodgers 2, Rockies 0Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2015-09-16T21:18:48-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/91694162015-09-16T21:18:48-07:002015-09-16T21:18:48-07:00Wood brilliant in Dodgers shutout of Rockies
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TxJTQTSbZkqf0yXa5eJ9jBEZ0rI=/0x92:4126x2843/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47205132/usa-today-8805996.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><span>Alex Wood</span> had a terrific bounce-back game and was remarkably efficient, leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> to a 2-0 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>The win gave the Dodgers seven straight series wins, the longest active streak in baseball, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9335985/dodgers-magic-number-10">lowered their magic number to clinch the National League West to just 10</a>.</p>
<p>Wood, who was only able to record five outs while allowing eight runs last Friday in Arizona, was brilliant on Wednesday night against Colorado. He allowed a second-inning single to <span>Kyle Parker</span> with two outs, then nothing the rest of the way.</p>
<p>Wood retired his final 19 batters faced, striking out five in his eight scoreless innings, getting 13 ground ball outs. But despite only throwing 78 pitches, manager Don Mattingly opted to pull Wood after eight innings, with the Rockies' eighth, ninth and leadoff hitters due up in the ninth.</p>
<p>It led to a comical exchange in the Dodgers dugout:</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alex Wood didn't want to shake Don Mattingly's hand in between innings. Wood wanted the CG but Jansen will be in. <a href="http://t.co/gDbVMWXfLO">pic.twitter.com/gDbVMWXfLO</a></p>
— Ryan Walton (@RyanWaltonMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanWaltonMLB/status/644362228783644673">September 17, 2015</a>
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<p>It was the <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/mkpKj">11th start by a Dodgers pitcher this year with at least eight innings and no runs allowed</a> — six by <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, three by <span>Zack Greinke</span> and once by <span>Mike Bolsinger</span>.</p>
<p><span>Kenley Jansen</span> recorded the final three outs for his 32nd save.</p>
<h4>Backstop backspin</h4>
<p>The Dodgers got on the board early with a run in the second, thanks to a home run by catcher <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, batting fifth for a second straight night. It was the sixth home run for Ellis, all coming in his last 25 games and 21 starts. He also walked.</p>
<p>But Ellis has hit too well for too long to cherry pick endpoints. On the season, Ellis it hitting .232/.352/.391 with a .330 wOBA and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=100&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d&page=1_30">a 111 wRC+ that ranks 10th among the 63 catchers in baseball</a> with at least 100 plate appearances in 2015.</p>
<h4>Cleanup man</h4>
<p><span>Corey Seager</span> batted fourth in just his 13th major league game on Wednesday, and at 21 years, 142 days old was the youngest Dodgers cleanup hitter since Derrell Griffth in 1964, <a target="_blank" href="http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2015/09/16/weird-lineup-features-youngest-dodger-cleanup-hitter-in-more-than-50-years/">per Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider</a>.</p>
<p>Seager had two hits on the night, his seventh multi-hit game in 12 starts and third in a row, including a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning to drive home leadoff man <span>Austin Barnes</span>, who doubled. Both hits for Seager came against Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa, improving the rookie's numbers against left-handed pitchers, now 7-for-20 (.350) with a double, four RBI, three walks and two strikeouts against them.</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p>The Dodgers are off on Thursday, their final off day of the regular season, before welcoming the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> to town for a three-game weekend series. Zack Greinke starts the series opener on Friday night, facing off against <span>Jeff Locke</span> for Pittsburgh.</p>
<h4>Wednesday particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home run</b>: A.J. Ellis (6)</p>
<p><b>WP - Alex Wood (11-10)</b>: 8 IP, 1 hit, 5 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Jorge De La Rosa (9-7)</b>: 8 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Kenley Jansen (32)</b>: 1 IP, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9341785/alex-wood-brilliant-dodgers-rockies-shutoutEric Stephen2015-09-16T21:18:40-07:002015-09-16T21:18:40-07:00Dodgers magic number
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_HPzsPLh-sMPQVABaojIYp3CI3Q=/0x20:417x298/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47197628/ron-cey-dodgers-magic-number-10-getty-cropped.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><a href='http://www.gettyimages.com'>Photo: Getty Images</a></figcaption>
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<p align="center"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4065790/ron-cey-dodgers-magic-number-10-getty.0.jpg"></p>
<p>The Dodgers <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9341785/alex-wood-brilliant-dodgers-rockies-shutout" target="_blank">beat the Rockies</a> to improve to 84-61 on the season, temporarily eight games up on the Giants (76-69), currently in progress. The Dodgers lowered their magic number to clinch the NL West to 10, as worn above by Ron Cey.</p>
<p>(Photo by Getty Images)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9335985/dodgers-magic-number-10Eric Stephen2015-09-16T16:11:35-07:002015-09-16T16:11:35-07:00Dodgers lineup 'different' for Rockies finale
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> starting lineup in their final game of their three-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> is the byproduct of a 16-inning marathon on Monday night, coupled with a large divisional lead. But most importantly, the lineup is fine art.</p>
<p>"The lineup could look different tomorrow," manager Don Mattingly said after Tuesday night's loss.</p>
<p>He wasn't kidding.</p>
<p>For starters, <span>Austin Barnes</span> bats leadoff, which is perfectly fine since he posted a .389 on-base percentage in Triple-A Oklahoma City, and has a .375 OBP in his 25 major league plate appearances. But he starts at second base, not catcher.</p>
<p>Barnes has played infield in the past, with 150 minor league games at second base, including 30 games in 2014 in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>' system. Barnes on Sept. 11 played three innings at third base, where he also played 16 minor league games in the Miami system. But this season in Oklahoma City, the Dodgers wanted Barnes to exclusively catch, outside of a couple starts at designated hitter.</p>
<p>This is his first major league start at second base.</p>
<p>He is the first Dodger to start at second base and catcher in the same season since Derrel Thomas in 1980. The <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/Gs4oz">only other Dodgers to do so</a>, dating back to at least 1914, are Ted Sizemore (1976), Mickey Owen (1944) and Al Lopez (1933 and 1934).</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups <br>
</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rockies</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#1e90ff" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Blackmon (L)<br>
</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Barnes<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS<br>
</td>
<td>Reyes (S)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Utley (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Ruggiano</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Rosario<br>
</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Adames (L)<br>
</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Parker</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Guerrero</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Paulsen (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Heisey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Barnes<br>
</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>De La Rosa (L)<br>
</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Wood</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br> <b>Time</b>: 7:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br></span>
</div>
<p><span>Chase Utley</span>, for now the regular second baseman, starts at first base, his first start at the position since joining the Dodgers. He started three times at first base this year with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, and 28 times in his career.</p>
<p><span>Justin Ruggiano</span>, with his career .369 wOBA and 135 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers (.428 and 180 in 63 plate appearances this season), bats third for the 11th time in his career, and the first time since April 9, 2014 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>.</p>
<p><span>Corey Seager</span> bats cleanup for the first of many times in his career, his 10th straight start, including nine straight at shortstop. Seager has reached base by hit or walk in all 11 of his starts, and has reached base at least twice in eight of his 11 starts, contributing to his .528 on-base percentage.</p>
<p><span>A.J. Ellis</span> bats fifth for a second straight night, after catching the first seven innings of Tuesday's game.</p>
<p><span>Alex Guerrero</span> gets the start at third base, his 14th of the season at the hot corner, but his first start at the position since Aug. 8, 35 games ago. It is the first start in the field at any position for Guerrero since Aug. 10, when he started in left field. His only three starts in the last 32 games came at designated hitter.</p>
<p><span>Chris Heisey</span> gets another start in right field, which suggests that <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> is still bothered by the small cyst on his right hand. Van Slyke was going to pinch hit on Tuesday, but was burned with a pitching change, so perhaps the hand bothers him more in the field than while batting.</p>
<p>This is the most special lineup of the season to date. Enjoy it.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9341519/dodgers-lineup-wowEric Stephen2015-09-16T14:09:40-07:002015-09-16T14:09:40-07:00Dodgers looking for runs down the stretch
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y8qKUReKua-_frZpMewtHC1QW4U=/0x112:3000x2112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47203078/GettyImages-488416970.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> leads the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in most offensive categories in 2015, including runs scored. But he needs a finishing for kick the team to avoid having a runs leader under 80 for the seventh time in a non-strike season since moving to Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Gonzalez has 73 runs scored through 144 games, seven more than <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> for the team lead. Gonzalez is on pace for 82 runs scored, so he'll most likely avoid re-joining the group.</p>
<p>In 2013, Gonzalez led the Dodgers with just 69 runs scored, the third-fewest for an LA team leader, ahead of only Eddie Murray (66 runs in 1989) and Willie Davis (65 runs in 1967).</p>
<p>That 2013 year was a weird season. Gonzalez also led the Dodgers with 100 RBI, but nobody else drove in even 60 runs. The next-closest to Gonzalez was <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>, who was a hitting machine in his 86 games, hitting .345/.402/.638 with 57 RBI.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="5">Fewest runs by LA Dodgers leader </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><u><b>Year</b></u></td>
<td><u><b>Player</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>G</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>PA</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>R</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013</td>
<td>Adrian Gonzalez</td>
<td align="right">157</td>
<td align="right">641</td>
<td align="right">69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td><span>Andre Ethier</span></td>
<td align="right">149</td>
<td align="right">618</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1989</td>
<td>Eddie Murray</td>
<td align="right">160</td>
<td align="right">690</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1969</td>
<td>Wes Parker</td>
<td align="right">132</td>
<td align="right">541</td>
<td align="right">76</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1967</td>
<td>Willie Davis</td>
<td align="right">143</td>
<td align="right">610</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1966</td>
<td>Willie Davis</td>
<td align="right">153</td>
<td align="right">653</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5"><i>*Does not count 1981 or 1994</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>Gonzalez this season is also leading the team with 84 RBI. He's on pace to drive in 95 runs, which would be his lowest total since driving in 82 during his first full season in 2006. Gonzalez has reached 100 RBI in five straight seasons and in seven of his last eight years, driving in 99 during the one season in that span (2009) that he fell short.</p>
<p>Gonzalez has faced only three pitchers in his career more often than Wednesday's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> starter Jorge De La Rosa, and has hit .354/.448/.667 with six doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI against him in 58 plate appearances, so maybe those counting stats will go up tonight.</p>
<p>The Dodgers' runs scored in general are down this year, a bit of a disconnect from leading the league in OPS and wOBA while scoring 4.15 runs per game, right on par with the National League average of 4.14 runs per game.</p>
<p>In 2014 the Dodgers were second in OPS and wOBA, first among the non-Colorado contingent, and like 2015 led the NL in adjusted OPS+ and wRC+. But that translated to 4.43 runs per game, in a league that scored only 3.95 runs per game.</p>
<p>In spring training I predicted that the Dodgers would score more runs in 2015 than in 2014 (I also thought <span>Yasiel Puig</span> would hit 28 home runs in 2015; <i>the lesson: never listen to me</i>), but unless the club scores more than 6.67 runs per game over the final 18 contests that will not happen.</p>
<p>So far in September, the Dodgers have averaged 4.71 runs per game.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/16/9340879/adrian-gonzalez-counting-stats-dodgers-preview-rockiesEric Stephen2015-09-14T07:35:03-07:002015-09-14T07:35:03-07:00Dodgers-Rockies series snapshot
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<img alt="There was a rare in-game rain delay at Dodger Stadium the last time the Rockies were in Los Angeles." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4H4LgN-hFRjWA0ZfMbzPhRkkVrA=/0x0:2473x1649/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47181078/usa-today-8566304.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>There was a rare in-game rain delay at Dodger Stadium the last time the Rockies were in Los Angeles. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> to town for the final time of 2015 beginning Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Here is a snapshot of both teams heading into the three-game series.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Dodgers vs. Rockies 2015 </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><u><b>Day</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Date</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Location</b></u></td>
<td align="left"><u><b>Time (PT)</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Fri</td>
<td align="left">Apr 17</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/4/17/8448691/dodgers-offense-rockies-recap">7-3, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sat</td>
<td align="left">Apr 18</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/4/18/8451377/dodgers-offense-rockies-recap">6-3, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sun</td>
<td align="left">Apr 19</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/4/19/8454409/brandon-mccarthy-dodgers-offense-power-rockies-sweep">7-0, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Fri</td>
<td align="left">May 8</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/8/8576631/brett-anderson-dodgers-rain-shortened-complete-game-recap">2-1 (6), LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sun</td>
<td align="left">May 10</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/10/8582373/justin-turner-pinch-hit-home-run-Dodger-recap">9-5, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Thu</td>
<td align="left">May 14</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/15/8609953/carlos-gonzalez-dodgers-rockies-recap-yimi-garcia">5-4, Col</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Fri</td>
<td align="left">May 15</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/15/8614349/jimmy-rollins-clayton-kershaw-dodgers-rockies-recap">6-4, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sat</td>
<td align="left">May 16</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/16/8616545/jorge-de-la-rosa-dodgers-rockies-recap-home-runs">7-1, Col</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sun</td>
<td align="left">May 17</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/17/8618273/mike-bolsinger-bullpen-dodgers-rockies-recap">1-0, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Mon</td>
<td align="left">Jun 1</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8703357/clayton-kershaw-home-runs-dodgers-rockies-recap">11-4, LA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Tue</td>
<td align="left">Jun 2</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left">
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/2/8714221/dodgers-bullpen-game-fail-rockies-recap">6-3, Col</a> (Gm 1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Tue</td>
<td align="left">Jun 2</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left">
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/2/8717245/alex-guerrero-gand-slam-dodgers-rockies-recap">9-8, LA</a> (Gm 2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Wed</td>
<td align="left">Jun 3</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/3/8726749/kenley-jansen-unavailable-dodgers-rockies-recap">7-6, Col</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Mon</td>
<td align="left">Sep 14</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left">7:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Tue</td>
<td align="left">Sep 15</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left">7:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Wed</td>
<td align="left">Sep 16</td>
<td align="left">Los Angeles</td>
<td align="left">7:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Fri</td>
<td align="left">Sep 25</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left">5:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sat</td>
<td align="left">Sep 26</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left">5:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sun</td>
<td align="left">Sep 27</td>
<td align="left">Denver</td>
<td align="left">1:10 p.m.<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>Teams: Dodgers (82-60) at Rockies (60-83)</p>
<p>Split records: Dodgers at home (47-21), Rockies on road (29-43)</p>
<p>Run differential: Dodgers (+73, fifth in NL), Rockies (-108, 13th in NL)</p>
<p>Runs scored: Dodgers 4.15 per game (eighth), Rockies 4.46 (second)</p>
<p>OPS+: Dodgers 107 (first), Rockies 90 (12th)</p>
<p>Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.64 (second), Rockies 5.22 (15th)</p>
<p>ERA+: Dodgers 109 (fifth), Rockies 92 (12th)</p>
<p>Last 10 games: Dodgers 7-3, Rockies 5-5</p>
<p>2015 head-to-head record: 9-4 Dodgers (5-2 in Los Angeles)</p>
<p>2014 head-to-head: 13-6 Dodgers (7-2 in Los Angeles)</p>
<p>Rockies SB Nation site: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a></p>
<h4>Series Schedule</h4>
<p><i><a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/13/9319763/dodgers-rockies-schedule-starting-pitchers">& probable pitchers</a></i>:</p>
<p>Monday, 7:10 p.m.: <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> vs. <span>Jon Gray</span> (SportsNet LA)<br>Tuesday, 7:10 p.m.: <span>Brett Anderson</span> vs. LHP <span>Chris Rusin</span> (SportsNet LA)<br>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m.: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (SportsNet LA)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/14/9322503/dodgers-rockies-series-statisticsEric Stephen2015-09-13T18:21:44-07:002015-09-13T18:21:44-07:00Dodgers-Rockies pitching probables
<figure>
<img alt="Brett Anderson has more starts and innings in 2015 than in any season since his rookie campaign of 2009." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0yacGksEWzTj5MeXfRwNddHS1R8=/0x54:1993x1383/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47178992/usa-today-8773681.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Anderson has more starts and innings in 2015 than in any season since his rookie campaign of 2009. | Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home beginning Monday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> for three games at Dodger Stadium, with five left-handed starters scheduled to pitch in this series. As <span>Justin Ruggiano</span> and <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> stretch and get ready for more playing time, here is a look at the pitching probables in Los Angeles.</p>
<h4>Monday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> gets the call in the series opener, looking to extend his streak of six straight starts allowing zero or one earned run. Kershaw has had two such streaks in his last three starts this season, which has lowered his ERA from 3.33 on June 22 to 2.15. Kershaw's career high is seven straight starts with zero or one earned run allowed, accomplished from Sept. 4, 2012 to Apr. 6, 2013, then again from June 8 to July 10, 2014.</p>
<p>Kershaw was the seventh overall pick of the 2006 draft, but will face the <i>third</i> overall pick of the 2013 draft, with <span>Jon Gray</span> making his eighth major league start for the Rockies on Monday. Gray has only allowed two home runs in his seven major league games, and both were against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. He has pitched longer than 5⅓ innings just once so far, a six-inning no-decision against New York on Aug. 10 that saw him allow only one run.</p>
<p>No-decisions have been the name of the game for Gray, with a 0-0 record through seven starts. His seven straight starts with a no-decision to open his career is <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/TiBRU">tied for the longest such streak dating back to at least 1914</a>, along with <span>Al Levine</span>, who began was mostly a reliever but got no-decisions in all seven of his career starts, from 1999-2001</p>
<h4>Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Brett Anderson</span> gets the start on in the middle game on a full eight days rest, likely one of four remaining regular season starts left for the left-hander. If Anderson, who has averaged 5.85 innings per start this season, can pitch at least 22 innings in those four starts, he will <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4861112/los-angeles-dodgers-payroll#anderson">earn an additional $1.8 million in performance bonuses</a>.</p>
<p><span>Chris Rusin</span> has had a roller coaster ride in his last five starts. The left-hander has a pair of complete-game wins, including a five-hit shutout at Coors Field on Aug. 16, but in his other three starts during that span has allowed 20 runs on 25 hits in 11 innings, including allowing 11 runs to the Mets on Aug. 22, tied for the <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/qo8bA">most runs allowed by a pitcher in a game this season</a>.</p>
<h4>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p>The Dodgers' southpaw trio concludes with <span>Alex Wood</span>, making his ninth start as a Dodger but just his third at home in Los Angeles since joining the team. Wood faced the Rockies once this season and struck out six in 5⅔ innings, but also got tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in a loss at Coors Field on July 12.</p>
<p>The series finale will mark the eighth time the Dodgers will have faced a De La Rosa this season, Jorge starts for the Rockies four days after the Dodgers had their way with Rubby in Arizona. The Dodgers have won five of the previous seven games started by a De La Rosa against them this season, but the southpaw Jorge picked up both wins, allowing three runs in 13⅓ innings in his last two starts against the Dodgers, both in May. De La Rosa leads the Rockies with 13 quality starts on the season, and six of his last eight starts have been of the quality variety, with a 2.90 ERA since the beginning of August.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/9/13/9319763/dodgers-rockies-schedule-starting-pitchersEric Stephen