LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping that a well-rested and inspired rookie pitcher will lead them to success in Sundays series finale against the San Francisco Giants.
Left-hander Caleb Ferguson will make his third career start Nick Bosa Jersey , pitching opposite Giants right-hander Chris Stratton, but it will be his first outing where he will get a minute to catch his breath and ease into his surroundings.
Before his major league debut on June 6, and his follow-up effort Tuesday, Ferguson had to scramble to catch a flight and then take the mound for the Dodgers. This time around, Ferguson has done all of his between-start routine with the major league club, and even got a bonus assignment this week.
Ferguson was able to get an up-close-and-personal look at Clayton Kershaws most recent rehab bullpen session. It was a multi-pronged effort to not only let Ferguson watch a pitcher he looks up to, but to get an in-depth view at one of the hardest workers in the game.
Even for Caleb to sit in on Claytons pen (Friday) and to sit in on Rich (Hills on Saturday) and not have to fly in make a start then fly out and come back in, he will get to assimilate with our guys, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. I think there is a benefit to that.
Ferguson (0-0, 9.53) lasted just 1 2/3 innings of his debut at Pittsburgh and then went four innings Tuesday against the Rangers. He has given up a combined six runs, but the Dodgers offense has scored a combined 21 runs in his two outings so at least he is getting elite run support.
Stratton (7-4, 4.56) has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, but he is facing a Dodgers lineup that has hit 34 home runs in June alone. The right-hander will have to face a trio of left-handed hitters in Max Muncy L.J. Collier Jersey , Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson who have been productive of late.
He figures to be up for the challenge after guiding the Giants to a 10-4 record in his starts this season. In his outing Tuesday at Miami, Stratton was just the second Giants pitcher since May 6 to last at least seven innings, but he still took the loss in a 3-1 defeat. It was his sixth quality start of the season.
The Giants are currently 3-6 on a three-city road trip that ends Sunday. And while a return home is ahead, better health could be coming soon, although third baseman Evan Longoria figures to be out at least a month with a fractured left hand.
First baseman Brandon Belt was activated Saturday, while pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija could be back soon.
Our biggest issue has been trying to stay healthy, manager Bruce Bochy said, according to mlb.com.
Madison Bumgarner made his third start since coming off the disabled list Saturday and allowed three runs on five hits in six innings of a 3-1 loss. It marked the 11th straight time in Los Angeles the Giants scored two runs or less, according to STATS Inc.
Matt Kemp and Enrique Hernandez homered for the Dodgers who will go for the series sweep on Sunday while Alex Wood allowed a run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
CLEVELAND With Clevelands pitching staff in chaos, the Indians will try to regroup Sunday and avoid a three-game sweep by the Minnesota Twins.
Minnesota has won the first two games of the series while roughing up Clevelands top two starting pitchers, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. The Twins have won five in a row against their American League Central rivals, outscoring the Indians 36-16.
The Indians 9-3 loss Saturday was a costly one. Carrasco was knocked out of the game in the second inning when he was hit on the right elbow by a line drive off the bat of Joe Mauer. Carrasco went to a local hospital for tests after the game.
It hit him right on the elbow. He was hurting, Indians manager Terry Francona said. Theyre still doing some scans. Right now http://www.seahawkscheapshops.com/cheap … air-jersey , they are calling it a contusion and the hope is thats all it is. Well know more tomorrow.
Carrascos early exit caused Francona to use most of his bullpen, including right-hander Adam Plutko, who was scheduled to start Sunday. But those plans changed.
Shane Bieber will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start Sunday in place of Plutko.
Bieber made a spot start for the Indians, his major league debut, on May 31, coincidentally against the Twins. The Indians won the game 9-8, but Bieber was not involved in the decision. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
Bieber has been the Indians top minor league pitcher in the first half of the season. In a combined 12 starts at Columbus and Double-A Akron, Bieber is 6-1 with a 1.29 ERA. One of those wins was a rain-shortened seven-inning no-hitter for Columbus.
Bieber will have his hands full with a red-hot Minnesota lineup, led by outfielder Eddie Rosario, who has been a one-man wrecking crew against Cleveland this year. On Saturday, Rosario was 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. All four of his hits came on the first pitch.
Against the Indians this year D.K. Metcalf Jersey , Rosario is batting .471 (16-for-34) with six home runs and 11 RBIs.
They are in a special place (offensively) now, Francona said. Rosario, the first pitch you throw him hes just whacking it. We need to throw him some pitches out of the zone. Hes hitting everything. They are a good hitting team.
The Twins Sunday starter will be right-hander Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 4.19 ERA), who has not won since May 8. In six starts since, he is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA, although a lack of run support has been part of the problem.
The Twins scored three runs or fewer in four of those six Odorizzi starts, the last of which came June 12 against the Detroit Tigers. The Twins won the game 6-4. Odorizzi got a no-decision, pitching five innings, allowing two runs and four hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Odorizzi earned a no-decision in his last start against Cleveland on May 31. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight runs (seven earned) and seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
In six career starts against Cleveland, Odorizzi is 1-2 with a 6.33 ERA.