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Walker Buehler, Dodgers Aim to Extend Rockies’ Road Struggles
The Los Angeles Dodgers, revived by a new series clear, are set to have the Colorado Rockies on Friday. They’re hoping to exploit their home-field advantage and expand the Rockies’ street troubles, keeping their energy alive in the MLB season.
Dodgers’ Turnaround
Subsequent to persevering through a season-most terrible five-game long string of failures, the Dodgers found new existence with an emotional late-inning rally against the New York Mets on Tuesday. Down to their last out, Chris Taylor’s hit single tied the game in the 10th inning, making way for a 10-inning triumph. This force conveyed the Dodgers to a doubleheader clear and eventually a three-game range of the Mets.
Back at Dodger Arena, where they gloat a 19-11 record, the Dodgers are anxious to expand on their prosperity. Their home record positions them second in National League for home triumphs, a significant element as they hope to climb the MLB standings.
Offensive Contributions from the Lineup
In Wednesday’s 10-3 win over the Mets, Los Angeles’ cleanup hitter Will Smith powered the offense with two home runs. Remarkably, the bottom of the lineup contributed significantly, producing 10 of the team’s 16 hits. Despite these efforts, the Dodgers’ lower-order hitters have struggled overall this season. Entering Thursday, their on-base percentages from the No. 6 through No. 9 spots were among the lowest in the league.
“There’s been a lot of talk obviously about the bottom of the order,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “You can see when they’re taking productive at-bats, getting hits, taking walks, good things happen.”
At the top of the order, Shohei Ohtani, who has been playing through a hamstring injury, homered for the first time since May 17, providing a much-needed boost.
Walker Buehler’s Return to Form
The Dodgers will send right-hander Walker Buehler (1-2, 4.26 ERA) to the mound on Friday for his fifth start since returning from his second Tommy John surgery. Buehler has a solid track record against the Rockies, holding a 7-2 record with a 4.17 ERA in 20 career appearances (16 starts) against them. His last outing against Colorado was in 2022, and he’s looking to continue his success in the MLB.
Rockies’ Road Challenges
The Rockies, coming off a successful homestand with series wins over the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Guardians, now face a daunting road trip. Colorado’s road record stands at a dismal 7-21, the worst in the National League.
Dakota Hudson’s Recent Improvements
Colorado will counter with right-hander Dakota Hudson (1-7, 5.54 ERA). Hudson started the season 0-6 with a 6.35 ERA but has shown improvement recently, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in his last three starts. Against the Phillies last Saturday, Hudson delivered a solid performance, allowing just two runs on five hits over six innings, though the bullpen ultimately faltered in an 8-4 loss.
“(Hudson) made some big pitches when he needed to (with) one walk in six innings,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “Pretty efficient with less than 90 pitches. It was one of his better outings for sure against arguably one of the best teams in baseball.”
Head-to-Head Matchup
Hudson will face a potent Dodgers offense that leads the NL in home runs with 75, despite struggles from the bottom of the order. Over six career appearances (two starts) against Los Angeles, Hudson has performed well, holding a 1-1 record with a 2.50 ERA.
Game Outlook
The Dodgers, floated by their new circle back and strong home record, will hope to keep up with their series of wins against a Rockies group that has battled powerfully out and about. With Buehler on the hill and the offense terminating on all chambers, Los Angeles is ready to expand Colorado’s street hardships and keep climbing the MLB standings.
As the MLB season advances, the two groups know the significance of each and every game. The Dodgers do not set in stone to keep their series of wins alive, while the Rockies expect to beat their street battles and pick up some speed. Fans can expect an intriguing standoff as these two groups conflict.
