After a successful second-half road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to find their groove back at home as they take on the Colorado Rockies. Despite their impressive performance on the road, the Dodgers have struggled to replicate their success in their own ballpark.
The Dodgers have a solid record of 11-4 on the road in the second half, but they are only 5-4 at home since the All-Star break. To add some firepower to their rotation, the team is welcoming back veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who has been out with a shoulder injury. Kershaw last pitched against the Rockies in June, holding them to just one hit over six scoreless innings. His return is eagerly anticipated by both teammates and fans alike.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, expressed his confidence in Kershaw’s ability to make a positive impact on the team. You just feel more comfortable and confident when Kersh is active, Roberts said. Kershaw has had a successful career against the Rockies, with a 27-11 record and a 3.33 ERA in 49 career starts against them. He even pitched a no-hitter against them back in 2014.
However, the Dodgers are not without their injury concerns. J.D. Martinez, the team’s All-Star designated hitter, has been experiencing groin/hamstring tightness and was sent home early from the road trip. Martinez had an MRI that did not provide much clarity, and he received an epidural injection to help alleviate the discomfort. His return is not expected before Saturday.
The Colorado Rockies, on the other hand, are entering the series with a mixed bag of results. They recently suffered a 7-6 defeat in 10 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers but managed to secure a 7-3 victory in 10 innings the day before. The Rockies are currently 3-3 on their 10-game road trip, which also included a stop in St. Louis.
Despite some ups and downs, the Rockies are maintaining a positive attitude and embracing the energy within the team. There’s good energy, and we’ve been talking about that for a little while, said Rockies’ player Nolan Jones. He acknowledged that while wins haven’t always come their way, there is a lot of fun energy among the team.
In the upcoming game, the Rockies will be relying on left-hander Ty Blach to counter the Dodgers’ lineup. Blach has made 10 appearances this season, with three starts. Though he had a strong finish to July with two short scoreless starts, he struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Cardinals.
Blach has a history of facing the Dodgers, as he made his last start against them in 2019 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. In 19 career appearances (eight starts) against the Dodgers, he holds a respectable record of 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA.
While both teams have their own challenges to overcome, this series promises an exciting matchup between the Dodgers and the Rockies. With Clayton Kershaw’s return to the mound, the Dodgers are poised to regain their home field advantage and find success in their own ballpark. However, the Rockies are determined to maintain their positive energy and give their best effort. Only time will tell which team will come out on top in this 10-game homestand for the Dodgers.
