As MLB’s trade deadline is hours away, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies face off in a matinee rubber match on Wednesday. Cy Young candidate Hyun-Jin Ryu starts with a chance at redemption from his last outing at Coors Field.
Ryu’s worst start of his career-best season came in Denver on June 28, when he allowed seven runs over four innings in an eventual 13-9 loss to the Rockies. It remains the only game of 2019 in which Ryu has given up more than two runs.
However, Coors Field has given Ryu trouble throughout his career. He has a 9.15 ERA in the notoriously hitter-friendly stadium, averaging roughly four innings per start.
He faces off against Colorado’s German Márquez, who holds a solid 2.89 ERA over seven career starts against the Dodgers. Márquez has regressed from an impressive 2018, as he sports a 4.88 ERA and 1.23 WHIP this season. He also leads the major leagues in wild pitches with 12.
However, one of his best starts of 2019 came when he allowed just two runs (one earned) over eight innings at Dodger Stadium on June 21. He kept the Rockies competitive as Walker Buehler turned in a 16-strikeout complete game that the Dodgers won in the ninth on a Matt Beaty walk-off home run.
Wednesday’s game starts 50 minutes before the trade deadline. While the Rockies are in a down season, most of their best trade assets are signed long-term and helped the team make the playoffs in 2017 and 2018.
Thus, it seems unlikely one of their players would get removed in the middle of the game.
The Dodgers, of course, will most likely take from their prospect depth in a possible trade. As has been the case for weeks, they are pursuing a number of potential bullpen upgrades with Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez reported to be at the top of their list.
Dylan Floro is available out of the bullpen, having returned from the 10-day injured list. Floro had been sidelined since mid-July with neck inflammation. To make room for him, Tony Gonsolin was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after recording an impressive four-inning save Tuesday.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Max Muncy
1B: Matt Beaty
RF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
CF: Alex Verdugo
2B: Kristopher Negrón
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Rockies lineup:
RF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Trevor Story
3B: Nolan Arenado
CF: David Dahl
LF: Ian Desmond
1B: Yonder Alonso
2B: Garrett Hampson
C: Tony Wolters
P: German Marquez
