COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
JET SETTING
- The Colorado Rockies continue their 10-game road trip this afternoon with the first of four games at Dodger Stadium … began the road trip by taking two of three in St. Louis, their first series win at Busch Stadium since 2009, before dropping two of three in Milwaukee.
- Colorado has gone 11-12 since the All-Star Break, winning three series, dropping four and splitting one.
- Of the Rockies 11 opponents remaining on the schedule, eight have records above .500 … the only teams below .500 are Arizona (57-58), Chicago-AL (47-69) and San Diego (55-60).
STEP RIGHT UP
- The Rockies have used 31 total pitchers this season, tied for the most in franchise history with the 2019 club … the Rockies have also tied the franchise record by using 15 different starting pitchers this season, tied with the 1993 and 2014 clubs for the most starters used in franchise history.
HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS
- The Rockies have gone 1-4 against the Dodgers this season, dropping two of three in Denver June 27-29 and losing both games of a two-game series April 3-4.
- Colorado has gone 22-50 against Los Angeles since 2019, including 9-26 at Dodger Stadium over that span.
SUPER SIZED McMAHON
- Third baseman Ryan McMahon has reached base in 19 of his last 20, including a career-best 17-game on-base streak July 16-Aug. 6 … is slashing .257/.364/.514 with four doubles and five home runs over this span.
- Since May 25, McMahon is slashing .285/.374/.540 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI … his .914 OPS this span ranks 10th in the NL while his OBP ranks 11th.
- McMahon’s 2.0 defensive WAR (Baseball Reference) is tied for second in the Majors and tied for the highest in the National League.
GOLDEN
- Ryan McMahon’s 16 defensive runs saved lead all third basemen and are tied for the third-most in the Majors … shortstop Ezeuqieul Tovar’s seven DRS rank sixth among all shortstops.
- 2022 Gold Glove winner Brendan Rodgers was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on July 31 … his 22 DRS in 2022 led all second basemen and ranked second in the Majors overall.
- Rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Month by Fielding Bible/Sports Info Solutions after he led all center fielders with six runs saved in July … his seven defensive runs saved on the season are tied for the fourth-most among all center fielders while his 95.1 MPH average arm strength ranks seventh among all outfielders.
- Rookie outfielder Nolan Jones has totaled five DRS … his seven outfield assists are tied for the 12th-most in the Majors, tied for the most among rookies and are tied for the Major League lead since June 21 … his average arm strength of 98.5 MPH is the best among all position players.
NEW BLOOD
- Rookies Nolan Jones and Ezequiel Tovar have each hit 11 home runs this season, the third pair of rookies in franchise history to each hit at least 10 home runs in a season, joining Luis Gonzalez/Matt Holliday (2004) and Garrett Atkins/Clint Barmes (2005).
- Tovar’s 101 hits are tied for the 11th-most by a rookie in franchise history, the most since Trevor Story in 2016 … his 51 RBI rank 10th by a rookie in franchise history, one shy of tying Nolan Arenado (52, 2013), two shy of tying Juan Uribe (53, 2001), three shy of tying Jordan Pacheco (54, 2012) and six from tying Matt Holliday (57, 2004).
JUST CHECKING IN
- The Rockies made five trades prior to the trade deadline, acquiring a total of seven Minor League pitchers in return, three of whom now rank in the Rockies’ top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline.
- LHP Justin Bruihl has tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in one appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque … Bruihl was acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations on Aug. 1.
- RHP Alec Barger, acquired from the Braves in exchange for Brad Hand, has allowed two runs in two relief appearances with Double-A Hartford.
- LHP Mason Albright (#21 Rockies prospect) was recently promoted to High-A Spokane after tossing five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in his lone start with Single-A Fresno … RHP Jake Madden (#20 prospect), acquired along with Albright from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk, allowed four runs in two innings in his lone start thus far with Fresno.
- RHP Victor Vodnik (#22 prospect) tossed a scoreless inning in his Triple-A debut last night with Albuquerque after four scoreless outings with Hartford … RHP Tanner Gordon, acquired along with Vodnik from Atlanta in exchange for Pierce Johnson, has gone 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA in two starts with Hartford.
- The Rockies acquired RHP Connor Van Scoyoc from the Angels in exchange for Mike Moustakas in their first trade on June 24 … Van Scoyoc posted a 3.33 ERA in four starts with Spokane before being promoted to Hartford, where he has allowed 13 runs in 7.2 innings in his first two starts.
ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #50 TY BLACH LHP
LA LA LAND
- In 19 career games (eight starts) has gone 4-3 with one save against the Dodgers with a 3.27 ERA (71.2 IP, 26 ER), striking out 43 and walking 25.
- Has gone 1-1 with a 1.16 ERA (23.1 IP, 3 ER) in eight games (two starts) at Dodger Stadium, holding Los Angeles to a .217 average with no home runs at Chavez Ravine.
- Only career save came against the Dodgers on April 10, 2022, tossing four scoreless innings to close out a 9-4 Rockies win at Coors Field.
- In his second career start on Oct. 1, 2016, tossed eight scoreless innings as a member of the Giants against the Dodgers, out-dueling Clayton Kershaw (7.0 IP, 2 ER) for a 3-0 San Francisco win.
- Last start against the Dodgers came on Sept. 10, 2019 at Oracle Park (2.1,9,6,6,1,3) … last start at Dodger Stadium on March 29, 2018 (5.0,3,0,0,3,3).
LAST TIME OUT
- Took the loss on Saturday in St. Louis, his first as a Rockie, allowing four runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings.
- His 80 pitches were the most on the season and his most since tossing 86 on Aug. 23, 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Went 1426 days between Major League losses, last being charged with a loss on Sept. 10, 2019.
HOT JULY
- Posted a 0.774 WHIP during the month of July, issuing just one walk.
- One of seven pitchers with at least 10.0 innings pitched in the Major Leagues to record a 0.00 ERA during the month of July.
RELIEVER STARTER
- Made seven appearances out of the bullpen before making his first three starts of the season … officially named a starter on July 30 after tossing five scoreless innings against Oakland … over the seven relief appearances allowed 13 runs (10 earned) in 13.1 innings … allowed 24 hits, two walks with five strikeouts.
- Made his first start of the year on July 23 at Miami in what was a bullpen game at the time … spun three innings and allowed just two hits with two strikeouts.
PREACH!
- On Sundays in his career, “The Preacher” holds an ERA of 3.74 (74.2 IP, 31 ER) … he is 3-3 in 23 games (11 starts) with one save in one opportunity.
- Since 2022, the lefty’s ERA on Sundays is tied for the 14th-lowest ERA in the Majors, tied for fifth-lowest in the NL (minimum 15 IP).
LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:
FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS: The Dodgers won their fourth consecutive game last night, sweeping Arizona and finishing the six-game road trip with a sparkling 5-1 record. The victory marked the club’s eighth sweep of the season and evened the season series up with the snakes at 5-5. Tonight, the Dodgers kick-off a 10-game homestand with the first of four games with the Colorado Rockies at 7:10 p.m. Following the weekend series with the Rox, the Dodgers have an off day on Monday, followed by matchups next week against the Milwaukee Brewers (Aug. 15-17) and Miami Marlins (Aug. 18-20). The Dodgers hold a season-high 6.0-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West following their victory last night and the Giants’ loss to the Angels. The Dodgers are now 11-4 on the road in the second half and have won all five road series since the All-Star break. The team’s 11 wins on the road in the second half are the most in the Majors, ahead of the Houston Astros (9) and their .733 road winning percentage post All-Star break is second best in the Major Leagues behind Seattle (.800). The Dodgers are 4-1 against the Rockies this season and 14-9 in their last 23 games against their NL West foes. The Dodgers have a 62-29 record (.681) against the Rockies since 2018, which are the most wins by a National League team against any other team in that time. Tonight, the first 40,000 ticketed fans will receive a USC quarterback Caleb Williams bobblehead, featuring the decorated signal caller doing the Heisman Trophy pose.
PRODUCTIVE WORK TRIP: The Dodgers recorded their 11th shutout of the 2023 campaign, blanking the Diamondbacks last night, 2-0, and sweeping the two-game series in the desert. The club’s 11 shutouts on the season are tied for fourth in the Majors, trailing just Cleveland (12), Toronto (12) and Milwaukee (12). David Peralta was the hero once again in his return to Arizona, ripping a two-run single in the eighth inning off lefthanded reliever Kyle Nelson that began and ended the game’s scoring. Peralta is now hitting .333 (8-for-24) this season vs. left-handers. His late-inning knock made a winner out of Caleb Ferguson (6-3) who came up in the seventh frame after rookie starter Bobby Miller’s brilliant outing (6.0 IP ,0 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K). In seven starts, Miller is now 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA (9 ER/37.0 IP) on the road this season.
HE’s BAAAACK: Dodger All-Star left-hander Clayton Kershaw returns to the mound tonight for the first time since June 27 at Colorado after missing the last 35 games with left shoulder soreness. Prior to going on the injured list, Kershaw has been spectacular, racking up 10 wins and posting a 2.55 ERA with 105 strikeouts against just 24 walks while limiting the opposition to a .216 average. In his lone start vs. the Rockies this season at Coors Field, he tossed 6.0 scoreless innings and gave up just one hit.
SUPERMAN: Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored last night, raising his average on the season to .344. He is now slashing .471/.531/.816 with 10 doubles, six homers and 18 RBI in his last 21 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 101. He also leads the Majors with 42 doubles and 67 extra-base hits while ranking second in average and hits (156). Freeman’s career best in runs scored is 120, established in 2021. On Monday, 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 37 of his last 38 games overall. 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 0-for-4 last night, snapping his 15-game hitting streak as well as his season-high tying nine-game run streak. In his last 33 games since June 28, he is slashing .352/.459/.750 with 12 homers, 30 RBI, 36 runs scored and 26 walks. Betts ranks third in the NL in home runs with 31 while ranking fourth in slugging (.578), fourth in OPS (.961), third in runs (93) and fifth in walks (67). Since May 1, the 2018 American League MVP is hitting .298 (96-for-322) with 27 homers, 66 RBI and a 1.018 OPS. During that span, he is third in the Majors in homers, third in runs (76) and OPS and fourth in RBI and extra-base hits (50).
TONIGHT’S STARTER vs. ROCKIES: LHP CLAYTON KERSHAW (10-4, 2.55 ERA in 16 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:
- Will make his first start since being reinstated from the IL today…was sidelined with left shoulder soreness since July 3
- Over 16 starts, the Texas native owns a 10-4 record with a 2.55 ERA (27 ER/95.1 IP) with 105 strikeouts against 24 walks and has generated a 1.05 WHIP
- Notched his 200th career win in his start on April 18 against the Mets, making him the only Los Angeles Dodger to win 200 games with the same franchise…joins Don Sutton (233) and Don Drysdale (209) on the Dodger all-time list
- Currently 21st all-time on the Major League strikeout list with 2,912…he needs 88 more to become the 20th player in Major League history with 3,000 strikeouts
- Has fired 6.0+ strikeouts in 11 out of his 16 starts this season
- He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April after posting a 5-1 record with a 1.89 ERA (8 ER/38.0 IP) and 41 strikeouts and a 0.76 WHIP
VS. ROCKIES:
- Will face Colorado for the 50th time in his career…is 27-11 with a 3.33 ERA (111 ER/300.0 IP) and 312 strikeouts against 89 walks
- Last faced the club in his last start on June 27, firing six scoreless innings, giving up a single hit and a walk while punching out two en route to the win
