Jerry Sands Gets His First Chance To Impress Tonight For The Dodgers

Drew Pomeranz-1-6  vs. Chris Capuano-10-7

The Dodgers welcome the Colorado Rockies into Chavez Ravine for a three game series. This is a good thing because the Rockies are one of the worst teams in all of Baseball. Only the Astros have a lower winning percentage than the Rockies do. I’m serious, Colorado is really really bad. Colorado is 38-68, with a .358 winning percentage, 20 games behind the Giants in last place. The Rockies just got back from being swept by the Giants at home.

The Dodgers are 5-4 against Colorado this season, and have won all three so far played at Dodger Stadium. Colorado is 3-9 at Dodger Stadium in their last 12 games there. Colorado hasn’t won a series at Dodger Stadium since September of 2010.

Colorado placed starter Jonathan Sanchez on the DL and activated third baseman Chris Nelson. The injury to Sanchez is bicep tendinitis. Colorado will be giving the ball to rookie Drew Pomeranz. Last time out against the Dodgers, Pomeranz pitched pretty well, allowing just one run on four hits through 6.2 innings of work, which earned him a no-decision on May 2nd.

Pomeranz is 1-6 this year with a 5.13 ERA. In his last four starts he is 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA, so we should be hitting this guy. Pomeranz has no record against the Dodgers. However he does have some success. The Boys in Blue are only hitting .238, (5 for 21) against Pomeranz, with no home runs and 1 RBI. Nobody has more than one hit, or four at-bats against Pomeranz, and Hanley Ramirez has never faced him.

The Dodgers will counter with lefty Chris Capuano. Against Colorado, Cappy is 5-6 with a 3.67 ERA, and is 1-1 this year with a 3.65 ERA. Cappy has been struggling of late, having lost five of his last six decisions, and everyone is worried that he is tiring. However Cappy is resourceful and resilient, and I implore everyone not to lose hope with him. On the season, Cappy is 10-7 with a 3.33 ERA, 119 whiffs, and only 41 walks. He lost his last two starts to the Cardinals and Arizona.

Colorado is hitting .274 (23 for 84) against Cappy. Remember this is not the same Colorado team we are used to seeing. Both Todd Helton, and Mullet man Troy Tulowitzki are hurt and on the disabled list. SO we will not have to see Helton who is hitting .286, (10 for 35) with three doubles off of Cappy. Dexter Fowler is 4 for 10, and Cargo is 3 for 12 (.250) with a double. The only home run off of Cappy is from the catcher Wilin Rosario.

The Dodgers also made a roster move today, as everyone is already talking about. The Dodgers designated for assignment, their fourth outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr, and recalled outfielder/first baseman Jerry Sands. It’s still unclear what Sands role will be, but we all assume he will get some playing time in at first base as Shane Victorino is entrenched in left field now, and Loney and Rivera are pretty bad.

Again I warn everyone not to get too hyped up about Sands. This is his fourth stint with the big club, and thus far he has had three good weeks, and that was last year. But of course, according to many stat boys, all prospects are hall of famers, and should have statues already built for them. We’ll see how Jerry does, and I hope he does well, but he has a lot to prove. He has to prove he can hit at the major league level.  Tonight he gets his chance as he is starting in right field in place of Andre Ethier, and batting sixth. No word why Ethier is not in the lineup. I am assuming it’s a day off, since he has been scuffling of late. It’s sink or swim now for Sands.

As for Gwyn, I wish him the best of luck. I met Tony, and he was a super nice guy. I know he isn’t a good hitter, but he was a very good outfielder. Remember now with Gwynn gone, other than Kemp, only Victorino can play center field. Well I guess Dre could play there as well, but that would only be in an emergency. Anyways, let’s not forget the contributions Gwynn gave to the Dodgers in his short time and we wish him the best.

While the Dodgers are battling the Rockies, the Giants will be playing the Cardinals in St. Louis. The Dodgers are right in the middle of a very soft part of the schedule, and they need to take advantage.

The Dodgers start the day at 59-50, a half game behind of the Giants in second place. The Dodgers have won three in a row, and six of their last nine. Join us after the game tonight as we will have our usual comprehensive game recap. Go Blue.