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Dodgers Face Rockies in Finale, Eye More Success from Gavin Stone
Even in the absence of Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, the Los Angeles Dodgers are able to succeed thanks to their potent pitching staff. Gavin Stone embodies that degree of intricacy. On Thursday, the Colorado Rockies will be taking on the solid youthful right-given pitcher as the last round of their four-game series in Denver.
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Stone’s Emergence
Stone (7-2, 3.01 ERA) will face Colorado southpaw Ty Blach (3-4, 4.65 ERA) as he aims to help the Rockies even the series. Colorado lost the first two games but came back to win 7-6 on Wednesday evening with Brenton Doyle’s sacrifice fly in the ninth inning.
Stone’s Stability in the Rotation
Stone, who is 25 years old, entered the major league for the first time last year and transitioned into the rotation in the current season. Although he struggled to make it past the fourth inning in two of his first four starts, he has managed to pitch for at least six innings in seven out of his last nine games. The amount of work he has taken on has stopped the Los Angeles bullpen from becoming strained.
“He’s been consistent,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think with Gavin, I’ve got all the trust in the world in him that he can make a pitch when he needs to, get back after a tough inning and keep us in the ballgame, save the bullpen, which it seems he does every time he takes the baseball.”
Recent Performances
Stone did that in his last start Friday night, going seven innings and keeping the Dodgers in the game until they could rally to defeat the visiting Kansas City Royals. He got a no-decision in victory, snapping a streak of three straight wins. One of those victories was against the Rockies on June 2 when he tossed five shutout innings. It is his only career appearance against Colorado.
Blach’s Role for the Rockies
Blach has not matched Stone’s success this year, but he has proven valuable to the Rockies since joining the rotation on May 12. That has especially been true at Coors Field, where he is 3-2 with a 3.76 ERA in eight appearances, including six starts. He has faced Los Angeles 20 times in his career — including nine starts — and is 4-3 with one save and a 3.13 ERA.
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Injury and Offensive Production
It is probable that Colorado outfielder Charlie Blackmon will be absent from the lineup for the second consecutive game due to a right hamstring injury suffered on Tuesday night. The Rockies have been able to score runs easily in this series, however, they have faced difficulties in preventing Los Angeles from scoring high numbers. The Dodgers have tallied 26 runs in the initial three games, with seven being scored in the ninth inning on Tuesday. Teoscar Hernandez’s three-run blast capped that frame after a questionable check-swing call.
Fan Reactions and Key Moments
Jake Cave became a fan favorite for his visceral reaction to the home run, yelling at first base umpire Lance Barksdale from right field. He then scored the winning run on Wednesday night. “If the fans love that, then I love it,” Cave said after Wednesday’s win. “I don’t think too many Dodgers fans like me, but Colorado fans do, so I’m happy about that.”
On the flip side, the Rockies will depend on Ty Blach to provide a solid beginning and provide their lineup with an opportunity to tie the series. The game in Denver is expected to be an thrilling end to this series of four games.
