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Rockies-Dodgers preview
By Joseph D'Hippolito, The Sports Xchange
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' beleaguered starting rotation will receive some help for the final game of their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list and make his first start in 15 months when he takes the mound Sunday at Dodger Stadium. McCarthy, whom the Dodgers signed as a free agent in December 2014, underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2015.
Before that operation, McCarthy made only four starts for the Dodgers. In his last appearance, the 10-year veteran allowed six runs, six hits and three home runs in five innings yet got the victory in an 11-8 decision over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 25, 2015. McCarthy had surgery five days later.
Ironically, in McCarthy's last game at Dodger Stadium, he faced the Rockies. The right-hander conceded just three hits and two walks in six shutout innings while collecting six strikeouts during a 7-0 win. McCarthy finished the season 3-0 with a 5.87 earned-run average.
McCarthy's return leaves four starters on the disabled list -- including ace Clayton Kershaw, who leads the major leagues with a 1.79 ERA. A herniated disc put the left-handed Kershaw on the disabled list Thursday and forced the Dodgers to acquire righty Bud Norris from the Atlanta Braves at the last minute in a five-player trade.
"He's full go," manager Dave Roberts told MLB.com regarding McCarthy. "We kind of sped it up a bit because of the circumstances. But Brandon's excited about getting back. We expect him to pitch well on Sunday."
McCarthy's return moves Julio Urias' start to Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Opposing McCarthy will be right-hander Jon Gray, one of the Rockies' brightest pitching hopes. Selected with the third overall pick in the June 2013 draft, Gray leads Colorado with 83 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .232 average, the best among the Rockies' starters.
"He's got lot more confidence now when he takes the mound," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "His slider has become a wipeout weapon for him. He's a prototypical power pitcher who's gaining more and more confidence."
The Rockies hope Gray can be as stifling as the Dodgers' pitchers. In the series' first two games, the hosts have held Colorado to just one run on nine hits while amassing 26 strikeouts.
Los Angeles' pitching has sabotaged the Rockies' most potent veteran hitters: Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds. The trio have managed only one hit while striking out 13 times in 21 combined at-bats.
But rookie shortstop Trevor Story has yet to play in the series. Story, who leads all major league rookies with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs, missed four of the past five games because of a bruised right finger.
"Offense is very cyclical in this game," Weiss said. "We haven't performed well the last couple of nights offensively. But we will. We're a good offensive club. We'll get it going.
Rockies-Dodgers preview
By Joseph D'Hippolito, The Sports Xchange
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' beleaguered starting rotation will receive some help for the final game of their three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list and make his first start in 15 months when he takes the mound Sunday at Dodger Stadium. McCarthy, whom the Dodgers signed as a free agent in December 2014, underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2015.
Before that operation, McCarthy made only four starts for the Dodgers. In his last appearance, the 10-year veteran allowed six runs, six hits and three home runs in five innings yet got the victory in an 11-8 decision over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 25, 2015. McCarthy had surgery five days later.
Ironically, in McCarthy's last game at Dodger Stadium, he faced the Rockies. The right-hander conceded just three hits and two walks in six shutout innings while collecting six strikeouts during a 7-0 win. McCarthy finished the season 3-0 with a 5.87 earned-run average.
McCarthy's return leaves four starters on the disabled list -- including ace Clayton Kershaw, who leads the major leagues with a 1.79 ERA. A herniated disc put the left-handed Kershaw on the disabled list Thursday and forced the Dodgers to acquire righty Bud Norris from the Atlanta Braves at the last minute in a five-player trade.
"He's full go," manager Dave Roberts told MLB.com regarding McCarthy. "We kind of sped it up a bit because of the circumstances. But Brandon's excited about getting back. We expect him to pitch well on Sunday."
McCarthy's return moves Julio Urias' start to Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Opposing McCarthy will be right-hander Jon Gray, one of the Rockies' brightest pitching hopes. Selected with the third overall pick in the June 2013 draft, Gray leads Colorado with 83 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .232 average, the best among the Rockies' starters.
"He's got lot more confidence now when he takes the mound," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "His slider has become a wipeout weapon for him. He's a prototypical power pitcher who's gaining more and more confidence."
The Rockies hope Gray can be as stifling as the Dodgers' pitchers. In the series' first two games, the hosts have held Colorado to just one run on nine hits while amassing 26 strikeouts.
Los Angeles' pitching has sabotaged the Rockies' most potent veteran hitters: Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds. The trio have managed only one hit while striking out 13 times in 21 combined at-bats.
But rookie shortstop Trevor Story has yet to play in the series. Story, who leads all major league rookies with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs, missed four of the past five games because of a bruised right finger.
"Offense is very cyclical in this game," Weiss said. "We haven't performed well the last couple of nights offensively. But we will. We're a good offensive club. We'll get it going.
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