The All-Star break is behind us, and video games return to motion at the moment. The Dodgers wrapped up the primary half final Saturday by finishing a season sweep of the Angels, and with some assist from the Pirates on Sunday moved into first place within the NL West. After almost per week off, the Dodgers return to motion with a troublesome nine-game highway journey. That kicks off at the moment in New York as they tackle an underachieving Mets staff that was a well-liked choose to go deep into October this season. They flexed their wallets within the offseason and at $348M (per Spottrac) have the best payroll in baseball, a pleasant $69M greater than the second highest payroll in baseball (the opposite New York staff). That’s gotten them a 42-48 file and 18.5 video games behind Atlanta within the East (the Rockies are nearer to the Dodgers within the West). They took two of three in LA in April and gave the impression to be turning it round a bit to shut the primary half as that they had received a season-high six straight in opposition to three NL West groups, together with a much-appreciated sweep of the Diamondbacks. Nonetheless, they closed out the half dropping the final two video games in San Diego.

	4:10 PM		Queens
2B	Betts	CF	Nimmo (L)
1B	Freeman (L)	DH	Pham
C	Smith	SS	Lindor (S)
3B	Muncy (L)	1B	Alonso
DH	Martinez	RF	Marte
LF	Peralta (L)	2B	McNeil (L)
RF	Heyward (L)	C	Alvarez
CF	Outman (L)	3B	Baty (L)
SS	Rojas	LF	Canha
P	Urias (L)	P	Verlander (R)

Julio Urias opens up the second half for the Dodgers. His final begin got here within the collection finale in opposition to the Pirates on July 6, and he lastly regarded just like the Urias of previous after a shaky first begin off the IL. He allowed two runs on three hits within the second inning, however accomplished six innings and the one different baserunner he allowed was a stroll to begin the sixth. He solely wanted 88 pitches to finish six innings, which the Dodgers desperately wanted after some lengthy bullpen days.

Urias has traditionally been glorious within the second half. Final season after the break, Urias posted a 1.26 ERA and allowed a .532 OPS in opposition to him in 13 begins.

Justin Verlander begins for the Mets for the thirteenth time this season. He had a late begin to the season after a shoulder harm landed him on the IL simply earlier than Opening Day. He returned in Could and has had an up-and-down season, with a 3.60 ERA/4.00 FIP in 70 innings. Verlander’s had two begins the place he’s allowed six runs (considered one of which got here at Coors) and two begins the place he’s allowed 4 runs. In his eight different begins, he’s allowed eight runs TOTAL. He’s coming off a pair of excellent begins in opposition to NL West opponents. On July 1, he allowed one unearned run in seven innings in opposition to the Giants. Final trip, he allowed two earned (and one unearned) runs in six innings in San Diego.

Whereas Verlander’s total numbers have been positive, there are some regarding tendencies. His 19.7 p.c strikeout price and 6.6 p.c stroll price are his worst numbers since 2014. To this point, he’s throwing his fastball much less regularly than he has in his profession (48.6 p.c, albeit a smaller pattern measurement) and it has the bottom common velocity since 2016 (94.4 MPH). He’s permitting a 90.7 MPH common exit velocity this season, the worst since Baseball Savant began monitoring it.

The Dodgers roll out a fairly customary lineup in opposition to a right-handed pitcher, with Mookie Betts beginning at second. James Outman, Jason Heyward and David Peralta begin within the outfield.

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He’s not beginning, however Chris Taylor is again.

Taylor hasn’t began a recreation in almost a month and when he will get in a recreation, will probably be his first recreation motion since June 21. Jake Marisnick was additionally added to the lively roster. Cody wrote about that acquisition yesterday. Who is aware of if both will get a begin in New York, because the Mets are throwing three righties on the market.

Shelby Miller was transferred to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man spot for Marisnick. Jonny DeLuca was despatched right down to make room for Taylor, and Miguel Vargas‘ demotion earlier than the break opened up that second roster spot.

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Some not nice harm information.

Clayton Kershaw was initially a recreation time resolution to begin on July 3, then positioned on the IL with the expectation that he’d return after the break. About that. Kershaw will now be out till early August (no less than) after an MRI revealed an undisclosed harm. He reportedly doesn’t really feel something when throwing, however continues to be going to be out a number of weeks to heal. Reminder, the commerce deadline is a number of weeks away.

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The Dodgers set the remainder of their rotation for the collection.

#Dodgers checklist Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller as starters for this collection in New York. Clayton Kershaw is right here with the staff however not listed to begin

— Invoice Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 14, 2023

Tony Gonsolin will begin tomorrow in opposition to Kodai Senga, and Bobby Miller will face off with Max Scherzer on Sunday. That would depart Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove to begin the primary two video games in Pittsburgh, though the order isn’t established.

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Did anybody write in regards to the schedule launch but?

The Dodgers open the 2024 season in South Korea with a two-game set in opposition to the Padres on March 20 and 21. They’ll return to LA for the house opener on March 28 in opposition to the Cardinals.

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First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM PT and will probably be proven on Apple TV+.