Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 09-19-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/19/2018
Chris Taylor's first career walk-off homer gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado in the National League West and put them in a position to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Rockies on Wednesday. Taylor launched the decisive blast in the 10th inning of Tuesday's 3-2 victory as Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games.
Taylor and Manny Machado each recorded two hits on Tuesday as the Dodgers improved their record against the Rockies this year to 11-7 entering their final meeting. The Rockies have scored just seven runs while losing four of five to start a nine-game road trip and enter the series finale 1 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the NL's second wild-card spot. Colorado All-Star shortstop Trevor Story missed Tuesday's game but could be back in the lineup by the weekend after an MRI detected inflammation but no structural damage to his right elbow. "I felt something on the throw when I dove for the ball," Story told reporters in reference to a defensive play in Monday's contest. "My elbow was a little tight, but I just tried to play through it. When I swung through that pitch (in the fourth inning), it kind of extended my arm and I felt it a little more."
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.82 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.88)
Anderson is 0-6 during a 12-start stretch since defeating San Francisco on July 4. The 28-year-old also lost to the Giants in his last turn as he gave up two runs and seven hits over six innings. Anderson lasted just 2 2/3 frames in a loss to the Dodgers on Sept. 9, yielding three earned runs and five hits in falling to 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four starts this season and 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA in 11 career outings.
Buehler was superb while beating the Cardinals in his last turn, when he permitted two hits over eight scoreless innings and matched his season high with nine strikeouts. The 24-year-old rookie has allowed three hits or fewer in four of his last six outings and is holding opposing hitters to a .201 batting average. Buehler is 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts against Colorado, including a no-decision on Sept. 8 in which he gave up four runs and six hits over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner is 12-for-25 during his seven-game hitting streak and is batting .373 in 59 at-bats this month.
2. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu was hitless in five at-bats on Tuesday and is 2-for-19 over his last five games.
3. Los Angeles 2B Brian Dozier was hitless in three at-bats on Tuesday and is 2-for-36 over his last 15 contests.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Rockies 1
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