Pregame – Page 22 – Dodger Thoughts

In case you missed it: The youngest prospect

On March 7, 2015

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Pregame

For more photos from Friday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Indians, 12:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, DH
Juan Uribe, 3B
Scott Schebler, RF
Darnell Sweeney, CF
(Mike Bolsinger, P)

By Jon Weisman

Looks like Louis Mattingly was told he’s not starting … but Mom and Dad don’t seem discouraged about his long-term potential.

Here are some more notes and news …

Don Mattingly told reporters today that reliever Mike Adams is days away from being “game ready,” but he looks good so far.
“Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke looked sharp Friday,” writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, “facing hitters for the first time this spring. Perhaps more importantly, he came away from his live batting practice session pain free.”
Ned Colletti shared his thoughts with Bill Dwyre of the Times about his new role with the Dodgers — paraphrasing Jim Murray in the process. “I think he wrote one time,” Colletti said, “that things can get like riding a tiger. We’re afraid to get on, and once we’re on, we’re afraid to get off.”
Of the four players since 1970 who have played at least 300 games at both shortstop and the outfield, two have played for the Dodgers: Derrel Thomas and Hubie Brooks. Hanley Ramirez could become the third, as Doug Miller of ESPN Insider notes.
Sunday’s Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic featuring Texas Christian, Vanderbilt, UCLA and USC will have more than 15 top draft prospects, writes David Hood of True Blue L.A.
Minnie Minoso was the Latin Jackie Robinson, suggests Allen Barra at Sports on Earth. Barra then goes on to argue for Minoso’s Hall of Fame worthiness based on his on-field performance.

[mlbvideo id=”41709783″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Meanwhile, at Dodger Stadium: T-minus one month pic.twitter.com/yFeErgqrSc

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 6, 2015

Pitching prospects galore on split-squad day

By Jon Weisman

On March 6, 2015

In Pregame

Mariners at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Chris Heisey, CF
Austin Barnes, C
(David Huff, P)

By Jon Weisman

Justin Turner on a pitching mound is an unusual sight, but he can be forgiven for wanting to sneak in his opportunity.

If split-squad games are ever welcome, it’s during the first week of exhibition play. With pitchers on two-inning limits, you’ll see at least a dozen hurlers take the mound for the Dodgers, including a scheduled relief appearance by Julio Urias in the game against the Brewers.

Dodgers at Brewers, 12:05 p.m.
Kike Hernandez, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Justin Turner, DH
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Kyle Jensen, 1B
Darwin Barney, 2B
(Zach Lee, P)

Three former first-round draft picks for the Dodgers are in line to pitch today: Zach Lee and Chris Anderson against the Mariners, and Chris Reed against the Brewers.

For that matter, David Aardma, J.P. Howell and Dustin McGowan were also first-round draft picks by other teams, and are pitching this afternoon as well.

The Dodgers’ other split-squad dates this month are March 20, 21 and 29.

With Austin Barnes DHing today, the backup catchers will be Shawn Zarraga against the Mariners and Chris O’Brien against the Brewers.

Update: Just got word that Barnes will catch and Grandal will DH.

In case you missed it: Last links before first pitch

By Jon Weisman

On March 4, 2015

In In case you missed it, Pregame

White Sox at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Andre Ethier, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Joc Pederson, DH
Chris Heisey, RF
(Erik Bedard, P)

By Jon Weisman

Thirty-five Spring Training games in 32 days. You asked for baseball — now you’re gonna get it. The only scheduled off day is March 24, and there are four split-squad days.

Here’s some pregame reading:

Minor-league pitchers Jeremy Horst, Jeremy Kehrt and Blake Smith have also suited up for today’s game.
David Huff (home) and Zach Lee (road) will start the Dodgers’ split-squad games Friday.
Clayton Kershaw had a nice conversation with Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, comparing Kershaw’s experience as a teen sensation with the one Julio Urias is having.
Joc Pederson, Don Mattingly and Triple-A manager Damon Berryhill addressed concerns about Pederson’s strikeout rate in this article by Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.
More players react to the Dodgers’ health-conscious menu in this piece by Bill Plunkett of the Register.
Did you prefer Adam Dunn or Juan Pierre as a ballplayer? Ben Lindbergh of Grantland offers an examination of this question with a twist.

Andre Ethier starts ahead of Yasiel Puig in NLDS Game 4

By Jon Weisman

On October 7, 2014

In Postseason, Pregame

For more photos from Monday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Cardinals, 2:07 p.m.
Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Andre Ethier, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
–
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Matt Adams, 1B
Yadier Molina, C
Jon Jay, CF
Kolten Wong, 2B
Shelby Miller, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig, who has a .774 OPS in the National League Division Series but has struck out in eight of his past nine at-bats, has been replaced in the Dodger starting lineup by Andre Ethier.

Ethier will bat sixth, while left fielder Carl Crawford moves up to the No. 2 spot behind Dee Gordon.

Since August 29, Ethier has made one start in a game that had meaning for the Dodgers, going 0 for 2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch September 7 against Arizona. In his final 46 plate appearances of the regular season, Ethier went 12 for 39 with a .413 on-base percentage and .436 slugging percentage, then went 1 for 2 in Game 1 of the NLDS.

* * *

A few pieces related to starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw to pass along.

While A.J. Cassavell breaks down the risks of pitching on three days’ rest at MLB.com, Russell A. Carleton at Baseball Prospectus notes that the Cardinals do not own Clayton Kershaw.

… When we look at Kershaw’s performance against the Cardinals, we see that his BABIP is quite high at .343. I know that during the postseason everyone likes to pretend that games are won and lost based on magical fairy dust, grit, and character. But frankly, a lot of what drives a baseball game is dumb luck. That’s not comfortable for people to hear, but the sooner that you accept that, the sooner we can have a real conversation about baseball. …

Clayton Kershaw has gotten very unlucky over the last four years against the St. Louis Cardinals, and luck is not a character trait. Luck just kinda happens. If you made bets on a series of coin flips and won seven in a row, that would be an unlikely event (though possible). Yes, you still have the money you just won in your pocket, but it’s not because you have a special skill for calling coin flips or because you are a morally righteous person. You caught a run of good luck. Congrats. Don’t expect it to last. …

Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4, Dan Haren part of nine-man bullpen in Game 3

By Jon Weisman

On October 6, 2014

In Pitching, Postseason, Pregame

[mlbvideo id=”36760257″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Dodgers at Cardinals, 6:37 p.m.
Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P
–
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Matt Adams, 1B
Yadier Molina, C
Jon Jay, CF
Kolten Wong, 2B
John Lackey, P

By Jon Weisman

All remaining mystery about Dan Haren’s role in the 2014 National League Division Series has been eliminated. He has been set up as tonight’s long reliever, and Clayton Kershaw has been announced by Don Mattingly as the Game 4 starter.

Nine of Haren’s 11 career relief appearances came 10 seasons ago as a newbie with the Cardinals. The 10th came 2 1/2 years ago in the 14th inning with the Angels, and he pitched a perfect inning. The 11th was in August 2013 with Washington, and he gave up a single while throwing another shutout inning.

In neither of those two recent occasions was he asked to rush into the game. So if Hyun-Jin Ryu got into any trouble early tonight in his first outing in nearly a month, you would no doubt see a short reliever in for damage control, while Haren took his time in the bullpen to get himself ready for the start of an inning.

Haren’s last competitive action came September 27, so he’s on eight days’ rest right now. He had a 2.43 ERA in his final 10 starts of the regular season with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings and 50 baserunners in 59 1/3 innings. He had seven quality starts out of those 10.

A.J. Ellis’ bat comes to life

By Jon Weisman

On October 4, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postseason, Pregame

For more Saturday photos, visit LA Photog Blog.

Cardinals at Dodgers, 6:37 p.m.
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Jon Jay, CF
Matt Holliday, LF
Matt Adams, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Yadier Molina, C
Kolten Wong, 2B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Lance Lynn, P

Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

As odd as it might be in October, A.J. Ellis is in his best physical shape of the year.

That helps account for the smashing game he had in Friday’s National League Division Series opener.

Ellis singled in the second and third innings, pounded a two-run homer in the sixth that at the time seemed to put the game away, and then even started the Dodgers’ near-comeback in the ninth with his fourth hit of the game.

The night gave Ellis a .450 on-base percentage and .722 slugging percentage in 41 career postseason plate appearances.

Don Mattingly discussed the 33-year-old catcher’s season before tonight’s game …

Business before pleasure on the season’s final day

By Jon Weisman

On September 28, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

For more photos from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Rockies at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Darwin Barney, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Miguel Rojas, 3B
Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Bullet points seem like a nice way to go for Game 162.

Don Mattingly said everyone is optimistic that Dee Gordon, who left Saturday’s game with a sore hip and had an MRI, would be ready Friday for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Hanley Ramirez had no ill effects today after fouling a ball off his knee Saturday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu had a successful bullpen session today. Assuming no setbacks Monday, he would be set for a midweek simulated game and on track to start Game 3 of the NLDS on October 6.
Mattingly was a bit coy about what manager-for-the-day Juan Uribe would actually do today, but one thing he was clear about was that nothing would be done to embarrass any players or umpires. Any arguments, for example, Mattingly will handle. But while Uribe will be given guidelines about who to play and for how long, it does appear strategic decisions will be left in Uribe’s hands. Uribe himself will not play.
Similarly, pitching coach du jour Clayton Kershaw will have a schedule of who is supposed to get work behind Zack Greinke, but he presumably will be the one going to the mound to make any moves or talk shop.
Kershaw himself threw about 30-odd pitches in a simulated game to keep himself fresh.
Mattingly joked that he was going to check to see if he and Uribe would be switching salaries for the day.
Going into play today, Gordon led the MLB stolen-base race by eight and in triples by two. Adrian Gonzalez led Mike Trout in the drive for the big-league RBI crown by two. Stephen Strasburg and Johnny Cueto did end up passing Kershaw on the NL strikeout list.

If you’re looking to invest in combo vending machines, check out Royal Vending Canberra’s products and services on their website.

The Kershaws are in a family way

By Jon Weisman

On September 27, 2014

In Pregame

For more photos from Friday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Rockies at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Andre Ethier, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

After a season of putting opposing hitters to bed, Clayton Kershaw is going to try it with one of his own.

The secret of Clayton and Ellen Kershaw has been passed along by Bill Shaikin of the Times — they’re going to have a baby girl in January.

The due date comes roughly two months before Kershaw’s 27th birthday and about a month before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.

In the much nearer future, Kershaw will be the Dodgers’ pitching coach Sunday while Juan Uribe takes on managing duties, as Don Mattingly continues the recent tradition of handing over the reins to players for the last regular-season game of the season.

Uribe was one of those who greeted Dodger minor-league pitcher of the year Julio Urias on Friday. Urias and co-minor-league players of the year Corey Seager and Joc Pederson were honored before Friday’s game.

I like every Dodger I see, from Urias to Uribe. #TheSimpsons pic.twitter.com/emei1Vrhgf

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 26, 2014

Dodgers line up for regular-season epilogue

By Jon Weisman

On September 26, 2014

In Pregame

For more photos from Wednesday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Roberto Hernandez, P

By Jon Weisman

Though I joked on Twitter about the kind of lineup the Dodgers might send out this weekend, my suggestion of starting pitcher Drew Butera was rejected by Don Mattingly.

In fact, the Dodger lineups figure to be fairly conventional, out of the desire to keep players fresh and the realization that everyone will have four days off between the end of the regular season and Game 1 of the National League Division Series against either St. Louis or Pittsburgh at Dodger Stadium on October 3.

Most if not all players will rest one of this weekend’s three games against Colorado — Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp and A.J. Ellis start on the bench tonight — and those who do start might not play the whole game. But by and large, you’ll see your favorite Dodgers if you come out or tune in.

The fun twist in tonight’s starting nine is the second career start as a cleanup hitter for Justin Turner. Turner’s only previous start as the No. 4 batter came 364 days ago, in his final start with the New York Mets. Turner went 2 for 4.

Don Mattingly told reporters today that Dan Haren and Zack Greinke are on schedule for starts Saturday and Sunday, though they will each be on a pitch count. There are five days of rest for Greinke between Sunday and Game 2 of the NLDS on October 4. Haren will be off longer, even if he ends up starting NLDS Game 3 on October 6.

Hyun-Jin Ryu continues to progress toward that Game 3 start, however. He threw off a mound in the bullpen today for the first time since his second-inning exit against the Giants exactly two weeks ago. Mattingly said that if there are no setbacks, Ryu would have another bullpen session Sunday, followed by a simulated game sometime next week, as he progresses toward a return to action.

‘Let’s do it to them before they do it to us’

By Jon Weisman

On September 24, 2014

In Pregame

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvQmhMkXLBg&w=550&h=309]

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCIX: Kershawll Street Blues
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Nine innings to a division title, with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.

It almost feels too good — not too good to be true, but just too good. Baseball, a sport seemingly conceived just to upset expectations, to turn you upside down, is almost taunting Dodger fans with this, daring them to turn their confidence into overconfidence.

Nine innings to play, nine innings where anything could happen, nine innings for the Giants to humble Los Angeles and spoil the celebration.

And yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don Mattingly on Matt Kemp’s improved mechanics

By Jon Weisman

On September 23, 2014

In Hitting, Pregame

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Justin Turner, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Matt Kemp turned 30 today, and his birthday comes at a happy time in his career. With a .363 on-base percentage and .580 slugging percentage, Kemp is among other things the No. 5 hitter in the big leagues in the second half of 2014, according to wRC+ (weighted runs created plus).

Much of this has been attributed to Kemp’s improved health, but as Don Mattingly discussed today (audio above), an adjustment to Kemp’s mechanics has also been a factor.

“I think the biggest change Matt’s made is to straighten up,” Mattingly said. “I think you see him taller, you see his feet a little bit more straight. A guy that dives or is striding into the plate, he limits himself what he can do.”

Mattingly drew a comparison between this and the mechanics of Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, an earlier topic of discussion today, noting the effect of unusual angles Bumgarner uses.

“As a hitter, when you cross into the plate and you dive, you block yourself off certain parts of the plate you can’t handle and you can’t get to,” Mattingly continued. “Certain areas and even certain areas on both sides, you get cut off, and you don’t have the same leverage. So to me, with Matt straightening up, he was able to get through the ball a lot better and really create more bat speed and then backspin.”

Up and at ’em in autumn

By Jon Weisman

On September 22, 2014

In Pregame

A little infield with Kershaw and Billingsley … https://t.co/TdX3Mvxjxs

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 22, 2014

For photos from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Tuesday brings the first official day of fall, but this afternoon at Dodger Stadium felt like the real beginning. Shadows had crept all the way to the baselines by the time Don Mattingly’s pregame press session broke, the burning rays of last week’s heat wave a fully distant memory.

And with the Giants in town and the stakes never higher with six games remaining in the season, this entire week could be considered the eve of October.

Dodgers aim to end roadtrip the Wright way

By Jon Weisman

On September 21, 2014

In Pregame

For more photos from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Cubs, 11:20 a.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Jamey Wright, P

By Jon Weisman

Since becoming a full-time relief pitcher, Jamey Wright has made one start, with the Rays on September 1, 2013. As Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. noted, the start came in part because of concern over Wright’s current Dodger teammate, Roberto Hernandez.

Today, Wright will start the Dodgers’ 2014 regular-season road finale at Wrigley Field, the capper of a week of extraordinary reliance on the bullpen.

Wright, who started 246 games from 1996-2007, has had three short outings this week of 16 pitches Monday, 10 pitches Tuesday and 12 pitches Friday. He has had two three-inning outings with the Dodgers this year, both in May and peaking when he won the second game of the Minnesota doubleheader that went extra innings on May 1. That game, which featured Red Patterson’s only big-league appearance, was about as close to a bullpen game as the Dodgers have come until this week’s non-stop reliever parade.

Dodger relievers, not unexpectedly, threw four more innings in Saturday’s bummer of an 8-7 loss to Chicago, giving them 29 2/3 in six days. Kenley Jansen and Yimi Garcia are the freshest heading into today’s game, though the only pitcher who might be unavailable after pitching two days in a row is J.P. Howell.

The home run that Howell allowed Saturday was his first in more than a year, since September 6, 2013, and third as a Dodger. Even after that blast, Howell has allowed only a .249 slugging percentage in his two years with Los Angeles.

Brian Wilson, who gave up the game-winning home run in the eighth inning, had pitched shutout ball without allowing an inherited runner to score in nine consecutive appearances dating back a month. Since the All-Star Break, Wilson hadn’t allowed a run or an inherited runner to score in 17 of 19 appearances, striking out 19 while allowing 16 baserunners in 15 1/3 innings. I won’t pretend that Wilson has looked like a shutdown reliever in that stretch, but he hasn’t been a gascan either.

The difference Saturday, as Ken Gurnick of MLB.com noted, was that Dodger manager Don Mattingly hasn’t let Wilson face many lefties with power potential. Chris Coghlan had already homered once Saturday when he came up against Wilson.

(Mattingly) said he knows Wilson didn’t hit 90 mph with a pitch in this game, but Wilson indicated that he’s been a cutter pitcher all season after being unsuccessful early in the year when he occasionally amped up to the mid-90s. He said he didn’t locate the home run pitch, he’s not hurting and that velocity is not a correct barometer for his season.

“It’s what he’s been doing all year,” Mattingly said. “Nothing different than all year. Not trying to change anything, this is what we’ve been doing to get us here. Today it didn’t work out.”

Except that by the time Wilson had come in, Mattingly had used lefties Howell, Paco Rodriguez and Daniel Coulombe. Scott Elbert and his delicate arm were used Friday, so Wilson faced the left-handed-hitting Coghlan. Lefties are hitting 52 points higher than righties against Wilson, which is why Mattingly has been setting up with both when possible to avoid these kinds of vulnerable matchups.

It’s hero time

By Jon Weisman

On September 18, 2014

In Pregame

Dodgers at Cubs, 5:05 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

Yes, the Dodgers proceeded with their annual rookie dress-up day Thursday after losing 16-2 to Colorado, and no, it doesn’t mean the Dodgers don’t take their pennant chase seriously.

Here’s a link to some pics, and honestly, I think the kids look rather sharp.

As for more conventional baseball costumes, Hanley Ramirez is in his and slated to return to the starting lineup tonight, at the site of his August 4, 2013 tumble into the stands in pursuit of a foul ball.

[mlbvideo id=”29432117″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Carl Crawford lifts his numbers against lefties

By Jon Weisman

On September 17, 2014

In Pregame

For highlights from Tuesday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Darwin Barney, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Carl Crawford, LF
Tim Federowicz, C
Miguel Rojas, SS
Carlos Frias, P

By Jon Weisman

Carl Crawford’s current hot streak, in which he has a .467 on-base percentage and .617 slugging percentage in 105 plate appearances since August 10, will be tested today when he faces left-handed Colorado starter Jorge De La Rosa.

Even during his batting surge, Crawford has rarely faced lefty pitching — in fact, today marks only his fourth start against a southpaw this year.

But Crawford’s numbers against left-handers this year are surprisingly good, though they’re out of left field, so to speak. He is 16 for 50 with four walks and two home runs, for an .886 OPS. Against lefties last year, Crawford had a .551 OPS and his career mark is .685.

Crawford homered off San Diego lefty relievers Alex Torres on August 19 and Frank Garces on September 8. Lifetime against De La Rosa, Crawford is 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

It’s a rare lineup for Don Mattingly against a left-handed starter that doesn’t have Scott Van Slyke, who has a 1.016 OPS against lefties in 2014. Though Dee Gordon is on the bench to start today’s game, Adrian Gonzalez and Crawford are both in. Tim Federowicz, whose only MLB homer of 2014 was in daylight at Colorado on June 7, is also starting, as is Miguel Rojas at short while Hanley Ramirez rests his injured elbow.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Pregame (Page 22 of 32)

In case you missed it: The youngest prospect

Pitching prospects galore on split-squad day

In case you missed it: Last links before first pitch

Andre Ethier starts ahead of Yasiel Puig in NLDS Game 4

Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4, Dan Haren part of nine-man bullpen in Game 3

A.J. Ellis’ bat comes to life

Business before pleasure on the season’s final day

The Kershaws are in a family way

Dodgers line up for regular-season epilogue

‘Let’s do it to them before they do it to us’

Don Mattingly on Matt Kemp’s improved mechanics

Up and at ’em in autumn

Dodgers aim to end roadtrip the Wright way

It’s hero time

Carl Crawford lifts his numbers against lefties

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