Following a decisive victory that helped them rebound from a difficult weekend series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing to face the Colorado Rockies once more. As the second game of their three-game set approaches, the Dodgers will rely on pitcher Eric Lauer to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, the Rockies, grappling with significant player injuries, are hoping to even the series with Ryan Feltner on the mound.
Dodgers Seek to Capitalize on Momentum with Lauer's Performance
The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the second game of their series against the Colorado Rockies, aiming to build on their recent 11-5 win. This dominant performance helped the Dodgers regain their footing after a challenging weekend where they lost three out of four games to Milwaukee, a top National League division leader. The shift from a formidable opponent to the struggling Rockies proved beneficial, allowing the Dodgers to reset. Pitcher Blake Snell's strong outing in the series opener, his second start since May 9, set a positive tone for the team. Now, the baton passes to left-hander Eric Lauer, who has been a revelation since joining the Dodgers from Toronto.
Eric Lauer, with a 7-6 record and a 4.67 ERA, will be crucial for the Dodgers in Tuesday night's matchup. Lauer's performance has significantly improved since his mid-May acquisition, contrasting sharply with his 1-5 record and 6.69 ERA during his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has consistently pitched at least 5 1/3 innings in nine of his eleven starts for Los Angeles, notably throwing 112 pitches in his last outing against Kansas City to provide much-needed relief for a fatigued bullpen. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commended Lauer's intelligence and competitiveness, highlighting his ability to deliver under pressure. Lauer has a long history against the Rockies, with a 3-6 record and a 6.21 ERA over 15 starts, though he received a no-decision in his last encounter with them on July 6.
Rockies Face Uphill Battle Amidst Key Player Injuries
The Colorado Rockies are set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of their series, hoping to bounce back from an 11-5 defeat. They will send right-hander Ryan Feltner to the mound, who holds a 5-6 record and a 5.59 ERA. However, the Rockies are contending with significant injury challenges, particularly with key offensive and defensive players sidelined. The absence of these players could complicate Feltner's efforts to level the series against the resurgent Dodgers. The team's manager, Warren Schaeffer, acknowledged the day-to-day uncertainty surrounding injured players, underscoring the difficulties faced by the team.
A major concern for the Rockies is the shoulder injury sustained by All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman, who leads the team with 34 home runs. Goodman has not played since Wednesday, after suffering the injury during an at-bat in Arizona. Despite working out before Monday's game, manager Warren Schaeffer opted to keep him out, indicating his status remains day-to-day. Further compounding the team's woes, third baseman Kyle Karros has been placed on the concussion injured list following a collision with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar on August 11. These injuries mean Feltner might be without two of the team's top defensive players. Feltner's career record against the Dodgers stands at 1-3 with a 6.19 ERA over eight previous appearances. His last start against them on April 18 saw him allow three runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings, in a game the Rockies ultimately won 4-3.