The Dodgers hit the road for the first time this season with their first stop coming in Denver, Colorado this weekend to face the Rockies in a three-game set. The Rockies are seemingly the biggest threat to the Dodgers within the division, so watching the Dodgers handedly take this series from the Rockies is a promising sight for Los Angeles.
Game One
The Dodgers’ offense was consistent and effective in this one, downing the Rockies to begin this three-game series in Colorado. The pitching wasn’t the best, but the Dodgers’ offense was able to make sure it didn’t come back to bite them.
Offense
The offensive firepower that the Dodgers have opened this season with is downright ridiculous, and the team made sure to bring it with them to Denver. A trio of home runs helped the Dodgers speed by the Rockies and increase the home run streak to eight games.
Max Muncy beat the lefty-lefty matchup against Tyler Anderson of the Rockies with a monster game on offense. Muncy took Anderson’s 3-2 fastball over the center field wall in the fourth inning, getting the lead back from Colorado after a Nolan Arenado sac-fly. Muncy came to the plate in the ninth with a single, a triple, and a home run to his credit. Searching for a double to complete the cycle, Muncy didn’t allow his mind to take away his plate vision, drawing a walk after being pitched timidly by Bryan Shaw.
Cody Bellinger stepped to the plate in the fifth with Justin Turner and Corey Seager on the basepaths. Bellinger promptly got his teammates back into the dugout via the long ball, Bellinger’s sixth of the season. He finished the day 1 for 4 with three RBIs and a walk.
Russell Martin added onto the Dodgers’ home run parade in Colorado, sending one into the seats in left field in the sixth inning for his first of 2019. Martin finished the game out with a pair of RBIs on his line.
Corey Seager and Justin Turner finished the game after driving in a run a piece. Seager’s RBI single opened the scoring in the third inning, and Turner followed in the fifth inning with an RBI double. Both players finished 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Pitching
Kenta Maeda took the mound for the Dodgers in the series opener. Although most numbers at Coors Field are inflated due to the altitudes, Maeda still did very well. Here’s a look at his final stat line:
Maeda: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 0 HR (Win, 2-0)
Walks seemed to be the only real issue for Maeda in what was otherwise a very nice start for him on the way to securing his second win of 2019.
The Dodgers sent six relievers to the mound in game one against the Rockies due to some rough outings from Brock Stewart and Yimi Garcia. Below is a full summary of how the bullpen did in game one in the Rocky Mountains:
- Floro: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
- Stewart: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
- Alexander: 0.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
- Baez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
- Kelly: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
- Garcia: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
The Dodgers (6-2) defeat the Rockies (3-5), 10-6.
Player of the Game: Max Muncy (3 for 4, 1 HR, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 R, 3 RBI)
Game Two
The Dodgers increase the winning streak to four games with a nice return to action for Walker Buehler, who struggled in his first start due to minimal game work during Spring Training. The offense showed up yet again and helped Buehler get his first win of the year.
Offense
Cody Bellinger had yet another great game at the plate, swatting an RBI triple over the head of the Rockies’ left fielder, who chased it back to the wall. The hit was one of two for Bellinger, and went on to help him finish 2 for 4 with a run batted in.
Alex Verdugo kept the home run streak alive for a ninth consecutive game with a solo shot in the seventh inning. Verdugo also tripled to center field two innings after his home run, bringing home a run to cap off a two-RBI day for the rookie outfielder.
A.J. Pollock, Max Muncy, and Austin Barnes each finished the game with RBIs scattered across the scorecard. One of the more interesting storylines was watching the Dodgers commit efficient outs, as all three of the players mentioned here had sacrifice flies in the game. Smart baseball helped the Dodgers greatly in this one.
Pitching
Walker Buehler took the mound for the second time in 2019, this time at Coors Field. Strangely enough, Coors Field was a place where Buehler was actually quite successful during his rookie campaign a year ago. Here’s how Buehler did on Saturday night:
Buehler: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (Win, 1-0)
This first win for Buehler is promising for lots of people after his first start didn’t go as well as many thought. Many were worried that Buehler’s first start had something more to do with a potential injury than a slow start, but after his start in Colorado, it seems as if he’s gradually progressing.
The Dodgers bullpen had a better night as a whole than on Friday night, but Yimi Garcia was still unable to post a zero. Here’s how the final lines for the Dodgers’ relievers looked:
- Baez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR (Hold, 2)
- Garcia: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
- Ferguson: 0.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
- Floro: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR (Hold, 1)
- Jansen: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR (Save, 4)
Although the Dodgers won by a margin that would not be considered a save situation, Jansen entered the game when the Dodgers led by three. Therefore, Jansen’s four-out close does qualify for a save. The save is Jansen’s fourth of the season, which is the third most by any closer in the National League.
The Dodgers (7-2) defeat the Rockies (3-6), 7-2.
Player of the Game: Alex Verdugo (2 for 4, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Game Three
The Dodgers made an appearance on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball last night in the series finale against the Rockies and showed a national audience why they’re arguably the best team in baseball right now.
Offense
Another game, another pair of home runs for the Dodgers. The team’s home run streak has moved to ten games now, with the all-time record of fourteen quickly being approached.
Max Muncy went yard to give the Dodgers a tenth consecutive game with a home run. Muncy had two at-bats in the game after replacing David Freese at first base and recorded as many RBIs. Muncy finished 1 for 2 with a walk at the plate.
Cody Bellinger’s torrid 2019 campaign continued through the conclusion of this series in Colorado, launching his seventh home run into the right field seats in the eighth inning. The home run gave Bellinger his eighteenth RBI of the season as well. Since 1920, only two players have recorded at least seven HRs and eighteen RBIs in the first ten games of a season: Willie Mays in 1964, and now Cody Bellinger in 2019.
Julio Urias got the scoring going for the Dodgers in a game that he unfortunately wasn’t able to pitch enough innings in to get the win for. Urias slapped a first-pitch fastball into the gap between first and second base that was misplayed by Charlie Blackmon, allowing two runs to score.
Kiké Hernandez also had a strong game at the plate on Sunday, reaching base twice and scoring both times. Hernandez finished 1 for 3 on the day with two RBIs and a walk. Contributions like these from a number of players on any given night is what makes the Dodgers so dangerous.
Pitching
Julio Urias had a short start with a good bit of struggle, but was able to keep it to where he never gave up the lead. Here’s how Urias’ outing went on Sunday night:
Urias: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Although Urias was sluggish on the mound, the Dodgers were able to play strong enough offense, which includes an RBI base hit from Urias, that he would avoid earning a loss.
The Dodgers bullpen pitched only three different arms in a sixteen-out situation after an early exit from Julio Urias. While runs were given up, the power of the Dodgers offense made sure that those runs wouldn’t come back to hurt them. Here’s how the ‘pen did:
- Kelly: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR (Win, 1-1)
- Ferguson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
- Santana: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Sunday, Dennis Santana was called up in a move that would send Brock Stewart down to the minor leagues. And, in his first MLB action of 2019, Santana pitched very well. Although it was not a save situation, Santana did a great job slamming the door with nearly three innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen.
The Dodgers (8-2) defeat the Rockies (3-7), 12-6.
Player of the Game: Cody Bellinger (3 for 4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 R, 1 RBI)
Up Next
This week, the Dodgers will travel into the midwest as part of this road trip, facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game set. Below are listings of pitching probables, when games start, where to watch or listen to the action, and promotions going on at the stadium each evening.
- Game One: Dodgers (Ryu) @ Cardinals (Mikolas)
- First Pitch: 4:35pm PT (7:35pm ET)
- Watch: SportsNet LA, SNLA Espanol, FS-M
- Listen: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMOX 1120, WIJR AM 880, CRN
- Promos: College Night I
- Game Two: Dodgers (Stripling) @ Cardinals (Hudson)
- First Pitch: 4:35pm PT (7:35pm ET)
- Watch: SportsNet LA, SNLA Espanol, FS-M
- Listen: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMOX 1120, WIJR AM 880, CRN
- Promos: Game of Thrones Night
- Game Three: Dodgers (Maeda) @ Cardinals (Flaherty)
- First Pitch: 4:35pm PT (7:35pm ET)
- Watch: SportsNet LA, SNLA Espanol, FS-M
- Listen: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMOX 1120, WIJR AM 880, CRN
- Promos: Scout Night I
- Game Four: Dodgers (Buehler) @ Cardinals (Wacha)
- First Pitch: 10:15am PT (1:15pm ET)
- Watch: SportsNet LA, SNLA Espanol, FS-M, MLBN
- Listen: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMOX 1120, WIJR AM 880, CRN
- Promos: Firefighter Appreciation Day
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel, and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.