Colorado Rockies (2-2) at Los Angeles Dodgers (2-2)

RHP Ryan Feltner (0-0, -.--) vs. RHP Michael Grove (0-0, -.--)

­Monday, April 3, 2023 | 7:10 p.m. PT | Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles, CA

Game 5 | Home Game 5 | Night Game 4

TV: SNLA/SNLA Spanish | Radio: AM 570, KTNQ 1020 AM

SPLITSVILLE:  The Dodger failed to secure their first winning series of the season last weekend. The Diamondbacks scored two unanswered runs to beat Los Angeles, 2-1. Despite the loss, the Dodgers finished the series outscoring Arizona, 20-7, allowing two runs or less in all four games.

The Dodgers will cap their six-game homestand with two against the Rockies, beginning Monday night  at 8:10 p.m. MDT. Following Tuesday  night’s contest, the Dodgers will travel to Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon and begin their first road trip of the campaign with the first of four against the Diamondbacks beginning on Thursday before traveling to San Francisco for a three-game set beginning on April 10.

 

DEJA VÚ: For the second time in four days, the Dodgers offense was held to one run as the Diamondbacks beat Los Angeles, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon. The Dodgers lone run came in the first inning on a solo home by Will Smith. His first homer of the season put the Dodgers on the board early, but the Diamondbacks rallied and scored one in the sixth inning and one in the top of the ninth inning to win the game.

The Dodgers offense had chances, recording four hits and four walks, but left eight men on base and went 0-for-8 with runners on scoring position. The loss overshadowed the brilliant Dodger debut by Noah Syndergaard. The right-hander tossed 6.0+ innings, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts.

 

LET’S GET IT STARTED: The Dodger starters have posted four straight quality starts to begin the season, leading the Major Leagues ahead of the Rockies (3).

 Julio Urías (6.0 IP), Dustin May (7.0 IP), Clayton Kershaw (6.0 IP) and Noah Syndergaard (6.0 IP) have combined to toss 25.0 IP, allowing four earned runs on 14 hits with 25 strikeouts while allowing one walk. The Dodgers starters have posted a 1.44 ERA in the first four games of the season, which ranks fourth in the Majors, behind the Rays (0.53), Twins (0.55) and Angels (0.82).

Their one walk in 25.0 innings is a Major League best while their 0.64 WHIP ranks second in the Majors behind only the Rays (0.53).

 

WILL I AM: Will Smith clubbed a solo homer against the Diamondbacks, extending his hot start to the 2023 campaign. He is hitting .455 (5-for-11) with one homer, five RBI and a 1.318 OPS. He has reached seven times in 14 plate appearances. In 41 games against the Rockies, he is .283 hitter with nine doubles, 12 homers and 39 RBI.

 

­­Inside the NUMBERS

4

The number of consecutive seasons that the Dodgers have posted +.700 winning percentage at Dodger Stadium

8

 

The number of walks for Dodger rookie Miguel Vargas this season, which are the most in Los Angeles Dodger franchise history to start a season (Strawberry, 7 in 1993)

 

FREIGHT TRAIN: New Dodger David Peralta is off to a solid start with the Boys in Blue, recording three hits in 10 at-bats. In his career against the Rockies, he has been even better, hitting .340 (144-for-423) with 34 doubles, 12 homers and 73 RBI in 118 career games.

 

vs. COL: The Dodgers took the season series from the Rockies last season, recording 11 wins in 19 tries and finishing with +.500 mark over the Rockies for the fifth straight season. The Dodgers have 59-28 record against the Rockies since 2018, which are the most wins by a National League team against any given team since 2018. Only the Guardians have more wins against a given team in that span.

 

Team   Opponent   W-L

Guardians  Tigers   60-26

Dodgers  Rockies  59-28

Dodgers  Diamondbacks  59-31

Dodgers  Padres  59-27

Braves   Marlins   59-27

Yankees   Orioles  59-27

 

OLD WESTERN: The Dodgers dropped to 2-2 on the season and are now 56-24 against the National League West dating back to last season. The Dodgers have posted nine straight winning seasons against the National League West, including four 50+ win seasons against their NL West foes (2014, 2019, 2021-22). In the nine-year span, the Dodgers are 409-244 (.626) against the NL West.

 

DOC TALK: Dodger manager Dave Roberts is in his eighth season at the helm and has led the Dodgers to playoff appearances in his first seven seasons as the leading man. In 2022, he led the Dodgers to a franchise record 111 wins. In eight years with the Dodgers, he has posted a 655-382 record (.632), which is the highest winning percentage by a manager in Major League Baseball history­ with a minimum of 1,000 games managed. His 655 wins rank fifth in franchise history, while his 45 postseason wins are the most in Dodger history.