LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:
END GAME: The Dodgers won their third straight game last night, holding off the Diamondbacks, 5- 4 in the desert. With the win, the Dodgers clinched another winning road trip and have a chance to record their eighth sweep of the season with a win tonight against the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers gained a game on the Giants last night as San Francisco lost to Angels and now the Dodgers have a five-game lead in the National League West division. Following the game tonight, Los Angeles will return home to open a 10-game homestand with matchups against the Colorado Rockies (Aug. 10-13), Milwaukee Brewers (Aug. 15-17) and Miami Marlins (Aug. 18-20).
The Dodgers improved to 10-4 on the road in the second half, as they have won all four-road series after the All-Star break and have a chance to make it five in-a-row. The Dodgers’ 10 wins on the road in the second half are the most in the Majors, ahead of the Houston Astros (9) and their .714 road winning percentage on the road post All-Star break is third best in the Major Leagues behind Seattle (.800) and Chicago-NL (.750) Seven (Julio’s Version): The Dodgers needed every run to escape with a victory on Tuesday night as the Diamondbacks clawed back from a 4-0 deficit and 5-2 to deficit to eventually lose by one. Mookie Betts delivered the eventual game-winner in the ninth inning with an RBI single to make it 5-2. He would finish with two hits and game-high two RBI while Freddie Freeman added three hits and one RBI. It backed a strong performance by Julio UrÃas, who continued his brilliance in the second half of the season. He improved to 25-3 in his career in the second half with six scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks and lowered his Major League best ERA to 1.98 ERA (57 ER/258.2 IP) in the second half. The Mexican native has now thrown 14 straight scoreless innings dating back to the third inning of his July 25th start against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his last three turns since allowing a career-high eight runs to Baltimore, he is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA (3 ER/17.0 IP) and 15 strikeouts and lowering his ERA to 4.39 on the campaign.
SUPERMAN: Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman went 3-for-5 with a run yesterday and he is now slashing .470/.532/.819 with nine doubles, six homers and 18 RBI in his last 20 games since July 17. Freeman was the first player in Dodger history with at least 20 homers and 35 doubles before the end of July and he is tied with Ronald Acuña Jr. for most runs in the Major Leagues with 100 runs. He also leads the Majors with 41 doubles, is tied for first with 66 extra-base hits and ranks second with a .343 average. Freeman’s career best in runs scored is 120, established in 2021. On Monday morning, Freeman was named Player of the Week for the second time this season after hitting .500 (13-for-26) with two homers, four stolen bases and seven RBI in six games from August 2-6. He posted a .923 slugging percentage and a .536 on-base percentage during that span and has reached base safely in 36 of his last 37 games. On Thursday, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPAA) announced that Freeman is the Dodgers’ preliminary winner of the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award, an esteemed award that honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. One player from each Major League team is chosen by the committees based on their passion, desire and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. As the season draws to a close, all alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 team winners. The overall winner will be announced mid-November on MLB Network. The All-Star is one of three players in the Major Leagues with a .300+ batting average, .400+ on-base percentage and a .500+ slugging percentage, along with Ronald Acuña Jr and Shohei Ohtani.
THE MAN: All-Star Mookie Betts went 2-for-4 with two RBI and he is now slashing .363/.471/.774 with 12 homers, 30 RBI, 36 runs scored and 26 walks in his last 32 games. Betts ranks third in the NL in home runs with 31 while ranking fourth in slugging (.583), fourth in OPS (.970), third in runs (93) and fifth in walks (67).
Since May 1, the 2018 American League MVP is hitting .302 (96-for-318) with 27 homers, 66 RBI and a 1.030 OPS. During that span, he is third in the Majors in homers, third in runs (76) and OPS, is tied for third in RBI and ranks fourth in extra-base hits (50). He extended his hitting streak to 15 games with two hits on Tuesday night, he currently has the longest active streak in the Majors and he is batting .328 (20-for-61) with four homers and 12 RBI during the streak.
TONIGHT’S STARTER at DIAMONDBACKS: RHP BOBBY MILLER (6-2, 4.26 ERA in 12 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:
- In his last start on August 4 against the Padres, he hurled 3.2 innings, giving up six hits, two runs, one earned run and a walk while punching out three…did not factor in the decision
- Had the longest scoreless innings streak for the club this season with 20 consecutive innings (May 29-June 17)…it was snapped on the 17th against the Giants
- Became the first Dodger pitcher since at least 1901 with a 6.0+ IP scoreless start allowing one hit or fewer within his first three appearances (ESPN Stats)
- First Dodgers rookie starting pitcher to earn the win in his first two career starts since Jose De Leon (9/04/16 vs. SD and 9/12/16 at NYY)
- Illinois native picked up the win in his Major League debut against Atlanta May 23 after spinning five innings and giving up four hits, one run and one walk while striking out five
- Owns a 1-1 record across four starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 5.65 ERA (9 ER/14.1 IP) with 12 strikeouts and just 6 issued walks…has limited the opposition to a .212/.295/.385 slashline
- Was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training…did not appear
VS. DIAMONDBACKS:
- Will face Arizona for the first time in his career
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
IN THE WEST: The D-backs are third in the NL West, 5.0 games behind the Giants and 10.0 games behind the Dodgers.
THE DIVISION STRETCH: The D-backs next 11 games will be against NL West teams: Dodgers (tonight), Padres (Aug. 11-13, Aug. 17-20) and Rockies (Aug. 14-16).
♦ Arizona is 18-15 vs. NL West opponents this season and 9-6 in their last 15 matchups.
♦ In 9 matchups this season, the D-backs are 5-4 vs. Dodgers…they went 3-1 in their last series vs. Dodgers @ Chase Field from April 6-9.
♦ From today, 19 of Arizona’s fi nal 48 regular-season games are against NL West teams.
VS. DODGERS @ HOME: The D-backs are hitting .324 (58-for-179)/.888 OPS over 5 games this season vs. Dodgers @ Chase Field with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 12 walks and 9 stolen bases… with runners in scoring position, the D-backs are 22-for-58 (.378) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 5 walks and 3 stolen bases…the D-backs have also outscored the Dodgers 35-27.
SWIPIN’ BAGS: Since Aug. 4, the D-backs 12 stolen bases are second in Majors behind the Royals (13) and ahead of the Dodgers (11).
♦ Arizona ranks third in the Majors this season with 120 stolen bases, behind the Reds (130) and Rays (121).
♦ The D-backs set a new franchise high in stolen bases in a game with 8 on Aug. 6 @ Twins, breaking their previous record of 7 originally set in 2000 and matched twice since (all games with 7+ stolen bases have taken place on the road).
CLOSE ONES CONTINUE: 6 of the D-backs’ last 10 games have been decided by 1 run and, in 4 of their last 8 losses, they carried the lead into the 5th inning or later.
July 29 vs. SEA ….. W ……..4-3 ……… (+1)
July 30 vs. SEA …………L …….. 0-4 ………..(-4)
July 31 @ SF ……… W ……..4-3 (11) .. (+1)
Aug. 1 @ SF ………… L …….3-4 ……… (-1) …….Led into 6th
Aug. 2 @ SF …………….L …….. 2-4 ………..(-2) …….Led into 5th
Aug. 3 @ SF ………… L …….0-1 ……… (-1)
Aug. 4 @ MIN ……… L …….2-3 ……… (-1) …….Led into 6th
Aug. 5 @ MIN …………..L …….. 1-12 ………(-11)
Aug. 6 @ MIN …………..L …….. 3-5 ………..(-2) …….Led into 9th
Aug. 8 vs. LAD …….. L …….4-5 ……… (-1)
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: In their last 12 games at home (since July 1), Alek Thomas is hitting .387 (12-for31)/1.180 OPS with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 1 walk, while Ketel Marte is hitting .348 (16-for-46)/.400 OBP with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 RBI and 4 walks.
LATE PRESSURE: Within innings 7-9, the D-backs’ 52 stolen bases rank atop the Majors while their 114 extra-base hits are second, behind the Dodgers (121), and their 180 runs are fourth, behind the Dodgers (203), Cubs (186) and Astros (181).
DIAMOND DEFENDERS: The D-backs’ .990 fi elding pct. is the tied for the best in the Majors (also: Cardinals), while their 40 errors are the fewest, ahead of the Cardinals (43) and Orioles (45).
♦ Arizona’s 40 errors are the fewest in franchise history through the first 114 games of a season…the previous low was 44 in 2018.
♦ The current franchise low for errors in a full season (excluding 2020) is 75 in 2013 and 2018.
CARROLL ON THE BAGS: Corbin Carroll’s 36 stolen bases rank third in the Majors, behind Ronald Acuña Jr./ATL (53) and Esteury Ruiz/OAK (44).
♦ Carroll’s 36 stolen bases are the most by a rookie in D-backs’ franchise history, ahead of Chris Young/2007 (27).
♦ Carroll’s 36 stolen bases rank fifth all-time by a D-back in a season, behind Tony Womack/1999 (72), Eric Byrnes/2007 (50), Tony Womack/2000 (45) and A.J. Pollock/2015 (39).
♦ Since 1990, Carroll is 1 of 10 MLB rookies to steal 30+ bases at age 22 or younger:
STARTING PITCHER – RHP MERRILL KELLY ♦ #29
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Has made 3 starts (0-1, 3.18 ERA, 20 K) since returning from the injured list on July 25.
- In 8 games follwing a D-backs loss this season, is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA (17 ER in 46.0 IP, 50 K).
- The D-backs are 7-4 in his last 11 starts.
ALL-STAR WORTHY: Ranked among NL starters in wins (T-1st, 9), opponent average (5th, .210), IP (7th, 95.0) and ERA (9th, 3.22) prior to going on the IL on June 27.
LAST START: Did not factor in the decision on Aug. 4 @ Twins…both runs allowed came on solo homers by Jorge Polanco in the third inning and Max Kepler in the sixth inning.
VS. DODGERS: Is 0-10 with a 5.45 ERA (47 R-44 ER in 72.2 IP) in 14 career starts.
PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .142 (15-for-106) with 33 strikeouts on his changeup, .176 (9-for-51) with 14 strikeouts on his cutter and .163 (8-for- 9) with 14 strikeouts on his cutter, .222 (10-for-45) with 15 strikeouts on his curveball and .200 (4-for-20) with 7 strikeouts on his slider.
FIRST TIME THRU: Limiting batters to a .203 average (31-for-153) with 15 walks and 43 strikeouts the first time through the lineup.
AHEAD IN THE COUNT : Holding batters to a .174 average (28-for-161) with 63 strikeouts when he is ahead in the count.
VS. LEFT AND RIGHT: Limiting lefties to a .194 average (41-for 211) with 61 strikeouts and righties to a .240 average (47 for-196) with 57 strikeouts.
- In his last 3 starts, is holding lefties to a .200 average (7-for-35).
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 6 of his last 7 starts.
LEAD OFF SUCCESS: When leading off an inning, holding batters to a .204 average (22-for108) with 31 strikeouts.
KEEP ‘EM CHASING : His 33.3 out-of-zone swing percentage is a career-high. 0-2 GOT YOU: Opponents are 11-for-54 (.204) with 28 strikeouts on an 0-2 count and are batting .149 (34-for-229) with 2 strikes.
RISP-Y BUSINESS : Holding runners in scoring position to a .186 average (13-for-70) with 19 strikeouts.
IL REPORT: Placed on the 15-day injured list (right calf inflammation) on June 27…reinstated on July 25.
