Daily Clips

August 13, 2016

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

DAILY CLIPS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016

OC REGISTER:

Inefficient Dodgers offense tamed by Ivan Nova, Pirates bullpen in 5-1 loss- Bill Plunkett

Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson to start for Dodgers this weekend- Bill Plunkett

On deck: Pirates at Dodgers, Saturday, 1 p.m.- Bill Plunkett

DODGERS.COM:

Dodgers fall to Bucs, but keep pace in NL West race- Jack Baer and Adam Berry

Anderson set for season debut in finale vs. Pirates- Jack Baer

Stripling's seven innings a confidence booster- Jack Baer

McCarthy looks for return to form vs. Bucs- Adam Berry

Puig wants to become better player, teammate- Jack Baer

LA TIMES: Dodgers get the hits, but not the runs in loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-1- Andy McCullough

Brett Anderson will make 2016 debut for Dodgers on Sunday- Andy McCullough

DODGER INSIDER: Brett Anderson to make 2016 debut Sunday- Jon Weisman

Joe Blanton returns, Luis Avilan optioned- Jon Weisman

Stars (and stripes) for Kershaw at Ping Pong 4 Purpose- Jon Weisman

You tweet the call: Who’s the most underrated Dodger?- Jon Weisman

Dodgers extend Rancho Cucamonga affiliation through 2018- Jon Weisman

TRUEBLUELA.COM: Dodgers fall behind early, drop opener to Pirates- Eric Stephen

Another solid start for Jose De Leon, Oklahoma City wins 8-4- Craig Minami

Joe Blanton returns from bereavement leave, Dodgers option Luis Avilan to Triple-A- Eric Stephen

Dodgers try for more home cooking against the Pirates- Eric Stephen

ESPN LA: Even in defeat, Dodgers seeing more from Ross Stripling- Doug Padilla

McCutchen, Mercer power Nova and Pirates past Dodgers 5-1- Associated Press

Yasiel Puig takes responsibility for posting party videos: Team was just playing around- Doug Padilla

Clayton Kershaw throws from 90 feet, will throw again Saturday- Doug Padilla

Brett Anderson's 2016 debut among latest Dodgers pitching changes- Doug Padilla

Dodgers still think Andre Ethier can contribute in 2016- Doug Padilla

NBC LA:

Pirates Drop Dodgers 5-1, in Ivan Nova's Second Start- Michael Duarte

FANGRAPHS:

We Need To Talk About The Dodgers Rotation- Corinne Landrey

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

Dodgers partner with Kinduct to track athletic performance- Allasyn Lieneck

TODAYS KNUCKLEBALL: Why Yasmani Grandal is better than you think- Jeremy Dorn

LOS ANGELES DODGERS DAILY CLIPS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016

OC REGISTER

Inefficient Dodgers offense tamed by Ivan Nova, Pirates bullpen in 5-1 loss By Bill Plunkett LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers messed up the formula. They had been winning without their starting pitchers going long. But this time, the offense came up short. Rookie right-hander Ross Stripling gave the Dodgers just their third seven-inning start in the past 43 games. But he also gave up five runs and the Dodgers offense failed to provide the crucial ingredient, turning 12 hits into just one run in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. The Dodgers have scored just three runs in back-to-back losses since pulling into a first-place tie with the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. The Giants lost to the Baltimore Orioles, 5-2, in an interleague matchup Friday night, leaving the Dodgers one game back in the National League West. “It was one of those games where nothing went our way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s any indication of where we are right now, getting one run.” Things certainly didn’t go Stripling’s way in the first inning when a series of paper cuts led to three runs. Four of the first Pirates batters reached base on singles – two infield choppers that shortstop Corey Seager couldn’t turn into outs, a dunker into center field by Starling Marte and a ground ball through the left side of the infield by Andrew McCutchen. That produced two runs. McCutchen also stole a base when Seager fumbled the throw from catcher Yasmani Grandal. Another run scored when Seager and Chase Utley were too slow to turn Mercer’s ground ball into an inning-ending double play. “That was a frustrating inning,” Roberts said. “The quality of contact – Ross threw the ball well all night long. To his credit, he didn’t show any emotion or frustration. There’s only so much you can do right there.” Stripling retired 18 of the 20 batters he faced after the first inning. Solo home runs by McCutchen and Jordy Mercer represented the only potholes on that otherwise smooth road. He joined Scott Kazmir (July 19) and Kenta Maeda (July 10) as the only Dodgers starters to complete seven innings in the past 43 games. “On a personal basis ... I basically got sent to Arizona for a month because I couldn’t (get deep in games),” said Stripling who spent June at the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona working on his conditioning but mainly to limit his innings this season.

“So to come back and go seven, show them I could throw 90-plus pitches is a big confidence boost for me.” Some run support would have been nice too. The Dodgers did outhit the Pirates, 12-7, in the game but did very little damage with those hits. Howie Kendrick had three of them and drove in the Dodgers’ only run in the second inning when he followed the first of Joc Pederson’s two doubles with a two-out RBI single. Pirates starter Ivan Nova allowed nine hits in 5-1/3 innings but the Dodgers couldn’t take advantage. They had two hits each in the second, third and fourth innings against Nova but scored only on Kendrick’s RBI single. Adrian Gonzalez led off the sixth with a double but was stranded at third base. In all, the Dodgers left seven runners on base and went 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position in the first six innings. Ten of the 16 outs Nova recorded came on fly balls, including running catches by McCutchen in center field and Starling Marte in left. “I thought we had some good at-bats against Nova early, hit the ball hard, got some hits, hit some other balls that they made plays on defensively,” Roberts said. “They can track it down out there. “He didn’t walk guys, made us put the ball in play and those guys over there, they can defend.” There was less activity once Nova left the scene. Four Pirates relievers retired nine of 10 Dodgers batters at one point until Kendrick’s third single of the night in the ninth inning. He went to third on a pinch single from Chris Taylor with two outs. That put the tying run on deck – as close as it had been since the sixth inning. But Seager popped out. Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson to start for Dodgers this weekend By Bill Plunkett LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers will use a couple familiar pieces to assemble their rotation puzzle this time around. After throwing two bullpen sessions this week, right-hander Brandon McCarthy will make his scheduled start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. And left-hander Brett Anderson will return from back surgery to make his 2016 debut on Sunday. With those two veterans available, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said rookie left-hander Julio Urias will move to the bullpen and pitch in a multi-inning role if needed. However, the Dodgers will need to make a roster move to add Anderson on Sunday and could make another when lefty reliever Adam Liberatore (elbow inflammation) is eligible to return Sunday as well. Anderson was pronounced ready to go after pitching 12 innings over three minor league rehab starts and a bullpen session Thursday at Dodger Stadium. He has not faced major league hitters since Game 3 of the Dodgers’ NL Division Series loss to the New York Mets last October.

“I’m excited for Brett,” Roberts said. “It’s been a long road back for him. To get him back, it’s obviously a good thing for us.” McCarthy, meanwhile, threw another bullpen session Thursday in search of the fastball command that deserted him in recent starts. McCarthy walked a career-high five batters in each of his past two starts, failing to complete four innings in either one. McCarthy described his lack of command as feeling “weird” during those starts but said everything “felt very normal this week” while throwing in the bullpen. McCarthy said he made some minor adjustments in his delivery centered on his timing and release point during those bullpen sessions with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. “A lot of it is just getting the natural feel back,” said McCarthy, who has made seven starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. “It feels like something has been found. Now it’s just making sure that’s it.” McCarthy said the adjustments were “very basic but it’s something you can get away from quickly.” He said he feels ready to make his start Saturday. “Yeah, I’ve done all the work. It’s just a matter of going out there and doing it in games and making sure everything is there where you need it to be when it counts,” he said. “The only alternative is to sit around and throw bullpens forever. You have to take that into a game at some point.” PUIG TALK Demoted outfielder Yasiel Puig played his first home game for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night. Before the game, he spoke with reporters and answered questions about the move by the Dodgers. “I’m here to become a better player,” Puig said through an interpreter. “That was their decision. I don’t feel like this was a punishment. I feel like this is going to help me grow. “I’m here because I was not doing the right things over there. I’m here to improve myself. I’m here to become a better athlete again. … There’s a reason why I’m here. But I’m going to do my best to become the player that I was.” Puig referred to becoming the player “I was in 2013, 2014” and stuck to his talking points about being focused on “being a better teammate and a better person.” Puig said the party videos he posted Sunday were a mistake. The Dodgers issued a statement at the time saying they were “disappointed” with the behavior of Puig and his teammates shown on the videos. “I really didn’t know how to use Snapchat,” he said. “I was just playing around with my teammates. I just did something that was wrong.” Then he went out and had three hits – a single, triple and home run – and drove in four runs for the OKC Dodgers on Friday. In four games since reporting to the Triple-A team, Puig is 7 for 16 (.438) with four extra-base hits (a double, triple and two home runs) and nine RBI.

“I do want to go back to the major leagues,” Puig said. “That’s my dream and it’s still my dream to go back. “I need to do what my teammates (in Los Angeles) are doing because I’m not there. I don’t feel like I’m on the level that they are, so I need to work on that. I want to be a part of the team and be at the same level as my teammates. … I know I’m not a perfect guy. But I want to be a better teammate. That’s what I’m here for.” ALSO Clayton Kershaw played catch again Friday and is expected to repeat the throwing session Saturday, according to Roberts. The Dodgers manager was hesitant to say anything about Kershaw’s progress – or lack of it – in his recovery from a back injury. But Roberts remains optimistic that further progress is “on the horizon.” … Left-hander Rich Hill threw another bullpen session before Friday’s game. He has had starts tentatively scheduled twice only to have them pushed back in order to give his injured finger more time to heal. … Reliever Joe Blanton rejoined the Dodgers on Friday and was activated from the bereavement list. Left-hander Luis Avilan was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to clear a roster spot. On deck: Pirates at Dodgers, Saturday, 1 p.m. By Bill Plunkett Where: Dodger Stadium TV: Fox Sports 1, SNLA Did you know? The Dodgers have signed a two-year extension to their affiliation agreement with the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The agreement with the California League team runs through the 2018 season. The Dodgers had already agreed to extensions with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Double-A Tulsa and Class-A Great Lakes. THE PITCHERS DODGERS RHP BRANDON McCARTHY (2-2, 3.00 ERA) Vs. Pirates: 1-2, 4.74 ERA At Dodger Stadium: 4-1, 4.29 ERA Hates to face: Starling Marte, 5 for 10 (.500), 1 double Loves to face: Matt Joyce, 1 for 14 (.071), 6 strikeouts PIRATES RHP GERRIT COLE (7-7, 2.94 ERA) Vs. Dodgers: 3-0, 4.32 ERA At Dodger Stadium: 2-0, 4.05 ERA Hates to face: Joc Pederson, 2 for 4 (.500), 1 double Loves to face: Yasmani Grandal, 0 for 6, 2 strikeouts UPCOMING MATCHUPS Sunday: Pirates RHP Chad Kuhl (2-0, 3.91 ERA) at Dodgers LHP Brett Anderson (2016 MLB debut), 1:10 p.m., SNLA

DODGERS.COM

Dodgers fall to Bucs, but keep pace in NL West race By Jack Baer and Adam Berry LOS ANGELES -- A three-run first inning was all the Pirates needed Friday night in a 5-1 win over the Dodgers that saw homers from Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer. The Pirates opened the game with four singles in five at-bats against Los Angeles starter Ross Stripling, who regrouped from there, setting down 18 of the final 20 batters he faced to last seven innings. It was his longest outing since his 7 1/3 innings of no-hit ball in his debut against San Francisco. "It was pretty methodical, but it was advantageous that we took what we had, took what was there, and given to us, to score three runs," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've had that same inning before and not always walked away with three runs. It was very good to get off the mark like that." Unfortunately for Stripling, those two batters he didn't retire were McCutchen and Mercer, who each took him deep. Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova allowed nine hits in 5 1/3 innings, but spread them around well enough to allow just one run. Add that to his seven innings of three-run ball in his Pittsburgh debut, and the right-hander now holds a 2.91 ERA as a Pirate. The Dodgers will remain one game back in the National League West thanks to the Giants' 5-2 loss against Baltimore. With the win and the Marlins' loss to the White Sox, the Pirates pulled within one game of the second National League Wild Card spot. Pittsburgh's closest competitors -- the Cardinals and Mets -- lost Friday. "Just keep taking it day by day. That's what we've got to do, keep chipping away," McCutchen said. "That's what we're going to do as a team. When the season's at the end, we'll see where we are." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Vintage Cutch: McCutchen was at his best, flashing his former MVP form throughout the night. McCutchen pulled an RBI single to left field in the first, then stole second base, only his fifth steal of the season. He homered to right field, showing the kind of opposite-field power that typically defines his hot streaks. He also made a highlight-reel play in center, racing back and tumbling down after snagging a Yasmani Grandal line drive in the second inning. "He had a very good game tonight. Our outfielders were playing like they're out in the backyard," Hurdle said. "It was fun to watch those guys. ... Andrew had a very solid game, got his swing off at the plate. Good to see." Deja vu: Joc Pederson and Howie Kendrick were the lowest position players in the Los Angeles starting lineup, but they contributed as much as anybody in what has been a deep lineup lately. In both the second and fourth innings, Pederson hit a two-out double and Kendrick followed with a single, only for Stripling to end the inning with a swinging strikeout. Up, but not out: Nova's final line was satisfactory, but the performance didn't necessarily match the outcome. The right-hander left a number of balls up in the zone and allowed a lot of hard contact,

recording only three groundouts compared to 10 in the air. However, Nova continued to pound the strike zone -- he hasn't walked a batter in two starts with the Pirates -- and he kept the ball in the park, completing a homer-free start for only the second time this season. When they acquired Nova before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Pirates expected the veteran right-hander would benefit from a move out of the American League -- and Friday was a perfect example of how he can improve in the NL. "Pitching in National League ballparks that are bigger than the American League, especially the East, and the defense that I have behind me, that's allowed me to be more aggressive in the strike zone," Nova said. "A lot of them, especially to left field, Marte made a couple plays that could be on the wall, maybe homers. But we're in the National League now, so it's different." Baiting a hook: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been forced to pull pitchers early plenty of times this season, so it must have at least crossed his mind to take out Stripling following Mercer's leadoff home run in the seventh. He chose to go with the rookie to get three more outs and it paid off, as Stripling retired the next three batters and posted his longest start since his career debut. "That was awesome," Stripling said. "I'm not going to lie, I kinda looked over to see if Doc was coming and I didn't. Seeing no one coming, I was like 'Let's bear down and get three more outs here. Keep us in it and give us a chance to win.' That's huge for personal confidence and hopefully we can keep doing that." QUOTABLE "It's Dodger Stadium. It's L.A. It's paradise, for sure." -- McCutchen, on why he hits well in Chavez Ravine SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Starling Marte threw out Chase Utley at second base in the third inning, his NL-leading 13th outfield assist this season. He also has reached base safely in 16 of his last 17 games, quietly batting .333 with six doubles, a triple and 10 runs scored. Stripling's seven innings is the longest outing for a Dodgers starter since Scott Kazmir threw seven in Washington on July 19. UPON FURTHER REVIEW Hurdle didn't wait long to challenge a call, asking for a replay of the first play of the game. Josh Harrison was called out on a grounder to shortstop Corey Seager, who struggled to get the ball out of his glove. After a short review, the call was overturned and Harrison was ruled safe. He came around to score two batters later. One inning later, Pittsburgh challenged a call at the plate. Pederson doubled and scored on Kendrick's single to right field. Gregory Polanco made a strong throw home, but home-plate umpire Marvin Hudson ruled that catcher Eric Fryer didn't tag Pederson in time. The safe call stood and the Dodgers' first run remained on the board. WHAT'S NEXT Pirates: Gerrit Cole will look to bounce back after a rough start against the Reds when he takes the mound Saturday against the Dodgers. The Southern California native is 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA in two starts at Dodger Stadium and 13-3 in 19 career starts against NL West teams. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.

Dodgers: Brandon McCarthy will try to find his fastball command as he takes the mound Saturday. After registering a 1.61 ERA in his first four starts back from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander has lasted an average of three innings in his last three starts and has walked 12 in nine innings. Anderson set for season debut in finale vs. Pirates By Jack Baer LOS ANGELES -- Brett Anderson will make his 2016 debut Sunday against the Pirates, ending a five-month rehab following back surgery in March. The southpaw has thrown three rehab starts total between Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City, topping out at five innings and 71 pitches in his final start Monday. He allowed three earned runs in 12 innings during those starts, striking out 11 and walking one. "I'm excited for Brett," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's been a long road for him. To get him back, it's obviously a good thing for us." No pitch limit was given for Anderson -- Roberts has repeatedly declined to disclose specific limits for pitchers -- but Brandon McCarthy was held to 72 pitches in a strong season debut after Tommy John surgery, so that could work as a rough estimate. Anderson's return will bolster a rotation that is still plagued by injuries. Starters Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk), Rich Hill (finger blisters), Bud Norris (back strain), Alex Wood (elbow surgery), and Hyun-Jin Ryu (elbow tendinitis) all remain on the DL. It was also in question whether McCarthy would make his scheduled start Saturday as a loss of fastball command had derailed his last three starts. After some minor mechanical tweaks in a pair of bullpen sessions Tuesday and Thursday, Roberts and McCarthy confirmed he will take the mound Saturday. "It felt very normal this week," McCarthy said. "Done all the work, it's just you got to go out in games and make sure that everything is there where you need it to be when it counts. The only alternative is sit around and throw bullpens forever." Julio Urias was the team's backup starter if McCarthy or Anderson weren't ready this weekend, but with those two holes filled up, the team will use the 20-year-old out of the bullpen as a long reliever. The team has lacked a long reliever since Ross Stripling was brought into the rotation. The next starter to return will likely be Hill, who said that he could possibly throw a bullpen session Saturday and return for the team's series in Philadelphia next week. Hill has repeatedly said he felt ready to pitch even though the team has twice delayed his Dodgers debut due to a new blister lower on his finger. "I can very strongly say that the finger feels ready to go," Hill said. "Little things kept popping up and just trying to get it to heal. We were doing everything that we could and everything in my power to make it heal, whether it was rice, some rub on it, some things to toughen the skin, but really just time. You have to be patient and let that skin heal."

The last time Hill threw in any game was July 17 when he was still with Oakland, but the first blister forced him out of the game before he got an out. Despite that time away from a mound, Hill said he doesn't feel he needs a rehab start. "I don't feel like I do. Get some work off the mound and get going, that's really it," Hill said. "It's not like I haven't been keeping my arm in shape, but with the competition part of it, I haven't faced hitters, I would argue, probably in like a month. Mentally, I feel very good to go. I prepare myself every single day." More injury updates • Right-hander Joe Blanton was activated from the bereavement list on Friday, with left-hander Luis Avilan sent down in a corresponding move. • Roberts said he felt "no hesitation" in putting Corey Seager in Friday's starting lineup after Seager took a fastball to the right wrist Wednesday. • Kershaw was seen throwing from 90 feet at Dodger Stadium on Friday and Roberts said he hoped the ace will throw again Saturday. • Roberts said a September return for Andre Ethier is "certainly realistic," but with the caveat that he doesn't know in what capacity. The outfielder is currently taking batting practice and jogging at the team's Camelback Ranch facility in Arizona. Stripling's seven innings a confidence booster By Jack Baer LOS ANGELES -- For better or worse, this season hasn't exactly gone according to plan for Ross Stripling. He came into Spring Training hoping to remind the front office he was still alive (his words), and ended up in the Opening Day rotation. After two months of short starts, he was sent to the team's Spring Training facility in Camelback Ranch, Ariz. He found his way back to Los Angeles by way of the bullpen, then reentered the rotation due to a blight of injuries. That fickle season took another odd turn for Stripling on Friday night, as the right-hander threw seven innings, his longest outing since his 7 1/3 innings of no-hit ball in his debut. But he took the loss as the Dodgers fell, 5-1. The majority of damage was done in a first inning where only one batted ball reached higher than three feet off the ground. Grounders from the Pirates found holes and slowly built a lead that the Los Angeles offense would never overcome. "That was a frustrating inning," manager Dave Roberts said. "Quality of contact, Ross threw the ball well all night long. To his credit, he didn't show any emotion, didn't show his frustration. There's only so much he can do right there." Stripling regrouped from there and retired 18 of the last 20 batters he faced. However, those two he didn't get hurt, as mistake fastballs to Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer turned into home runs and brought his earned run total to five, tying a career high.

"Those were probably the two worst pitches I made all night," Stripling said. "Definitely punished me for them. The 2-1 to Mercer in the seventh, that one is frustrating, especially when my curveball was so good at the end of the game. I threw a 1-1 that didn't get there for a strike, then I threw a heater and he was all over it." Before the Mercer homer to lead off the seventh, Stripling was sitting at 82 pitches and had to tell pitching coach Rick Honeycutt twice that he felt ready to pitch in the seventh. He reminded the pitching coach that the reason he was sent to Arizona was so he could work on pitching deep into games. Stripling's effort to stay in the game seemed to backfire with the Mercer homer, forcing him to steal a glance toward the dugout and see if the manager was going to give him the hook. Roberts stayed put and that was all the encouragement Stripling would need to regroup and finally reach that seven-inning mark again. With another start in his uncertain season over, Stripling will again wait to see if the team sends him out for another turn in the rotation. Brett Anderson's return on Sunday and an off-day Monday means the team might not need a fifth starter until Aug. 20. Rich Hill also said before Friday's game that he could make his Dodgers debut this week, potentially pushing Stripling out of the rotation. And one can't forget that an unspecified innings limit looms over Stripling, due to his 2014 Tommy John surgery. All those unknowns await Stripling, but he can at least rest easy knowing that his ability to navigate the unknowns behind him has impressed. "You never know how the season is going to play out, but Ross has had a great opportunity and really seized the moment," Roberts said. "Now and going forward, it's been a great learning process for Ross and I think his growth has been exponential." McCarthy looks for return to form vs. Bucs By Adam Berry Brandon McCarthy is back in the rotation and, the Dodgers hope, back to normal. The right-hander will take the mound Saturday afternoon against the Pirates at Dodger Stadium after a pair of concerning starts in which his control vanished. McCarthy walked 10 batters, five in each start, and didn't complete four innings in either outing. Over his last three starts, McCarthy is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA and 12 walks in 10 2/3 innings. It's been an unusual dropoff for a starter who looked sharp coming back from Tommy John surgery; in his first four starts back, McCarthy was 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA. So McCarthy spent the week working in the bullpen, looking to address whatever mechanical flaws led to his sudden lack of command. "It felt very normal this week," McCarthy said. "Done all the work, it's just you got to go out in games and make sure that everything is there where you need it to be when it counts. The only alternative is sit around and throw bullpens forever."

McCarthy will start opposite right-hander Gerrit Cole, who is coming off a rough outing against the Reds. Cole allowed four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. The Southern California native is 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA in two career starts at Dodger Stadium. Things to know about this game • Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang is expected to start after giving way to David Freese each of the last two days. Kang entered the series batting .230/.307/.447 in 71 games this season. • Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley entered Friday's series opener having made 409 plate appearances this season without grounding into a double play, the most of any Major League hitter. According to Stats LLC, the only Dodger to ever finish a season with more plate appearances without a double-play grounder? Dave Roberts in 2003. • Starling Marte (5-for-10) and Andrew McCutchen (4-for-10) have hit well off McCarthy in the past. But in 61 combined plate appearances, current Pirates hitters have three extra-base hits against the righty, all of them doubles. Puig wants to become better player, teammate By Jack Baer LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig stated two simple goals as he spoke to reporters in an informal press conference Friday. He was in Oklahoma City to become a better player and a better teammate. "I'm here because I was not doing the right things over there," Puig said through an interpreter. "I'm here to improve myself. I'm here to become a better athlete again. That's their decision, if I have to go back to the big club. Right now, I'm going to focus on being better around the plate and being a better athlete." Puig was demoted to Triple-A last week, due to a lack of on-field performance and his off-field behavior. He openly admitted his play had declined, saying "I'm going to do my best to become the player that I was." He later added that his actions were why he was in the Minors. The outfielder's demotion ended a two-week period of trade speculation and several games missed due to a hamstring problem. In the end, Puig wasn't traded, but he was still replaced by Josh Reddick, whom the Dodgers acquired in a five-player deal with Oakland. So far, Puig has shown success at the plate with Oklahoma City. In four games since getting demoted, he's slugging 1.000 and went 3-for-5 with a homer and triple in Friday's game against El Paso. Off the field is a more mixed story. "My friends back in LA, they texted me and they told me 'This could happen to anyone. What you need to do right now is focus, do what you need to, and be a better teammate and support your team.'" Puig's efforts as a teammate have been a hit-or-miss affair so far in Oklahoma City. On one hand, he spent Thursday night playing Pokemon Go around the city with teammates.

On the other hand, he shared video of the team's Monday night outing on a party bus via Snapchat and drew a public show of disapproval in a statement from Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who said the incident would be addressed internally. "I really didn't know how to use Snapchat. I was just playing around with my teammates," Puig said when asked about the incident.

LA TIMES

Dodgers get the hits, but not the runs in loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-1 By Andy McCullough The two numbers stood side by side on the scoreboard at Dodger Stadium, an incongruent pair in a dreary 5-1 Dodgers defeat. In the runs column stood the lone tally, not nearly enough to overcome the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the hits column was the number 12, a double-digit total that revealed the frustration burbling beneath the surface of the result. “It’s just one of those games that nothing went our way,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s an indication of where we’re at, scoring one run tonight.” In losing their second game in a row, the Dodgers (64-51) could not sequence their offense properly. Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova gave up one run, and nine hits. The Dodgers’ Ross Stripling yielded five runs and six hits. The Pirates utilized a device capable of defusing any defensive strategy: The home run. A pair of solo shots sullied Stripling’s line. With the blister on Rich Hill’s left hand still pestering him, the Dodgers called upon Stripling for the second time this week. He had quieted the high-powered Boston offense for five scoreless innings last Sunday. Pittsburgh had a run after the first three at-bats on Friday. In a troubling display of defensive inefficiency, the Dodgers gave up three runs in the first inning even though only two balls were hit out of the infield. “The first inning was obviously frustrating,” Stripling said. Josh Harrison, the Pirates’ leadoff hitter, legged out an infield hit when Corey Seager could not make a throw in time from shortstop. Left fielder Starling Marte ripped a single into center field, and center fielder Andrew McCutchen slapped an RBI single past the outstretched glove of third baseman Justin Turner. McCutchen stole second base, then third baseman David Freese tapped a grounder up the middle. The ball bounced over Stripling’s head. Seager charged but could only hold the baseball, unable to make a throw. A second run scored. With Freese at first and McCutchen at third, shortstop Jordy Mercer hit a grounder to Seager. He fed Utley, who bounced a throw to first trying to turn a double play. The Dodgers have turned only 52 double plays this season, the fewest in the majors. McCutchen came home for the third run.

The Dodgers can live with occasional gaffes from Seager in the field. Most scouts and advanced metrics agree that he profiles as an average defender, not particularly prone to the mistakes that dogged him in Friday’s first inning. But the runs still counted, and they placed Stripling in an early hole. “It was something that was uncharacteristic,” Roberts said of Seager’s struggles. The clubs traded runs in the second and third innings. After a two-out double by Joc Pederson, the Pirates elected to pitch to Howie Kendrick, rather than walk him and face Stripling. Kendrick singled Pederson home. Pittsburgh extended the advantage back to three runs in the top of the third, when McCutchen crushed a 91-mph fastball from Stripling for a solo homer. McCutchen was the only Pirate to reach base from the second through the sixth innings. Stripling would complete seven innings for the first time since his debut on April 8, retiring 11 in a row between McCutchen’s homer and another by Mercer leading off the seventh. “Overall, I feel fine,” Stripling said. “But the results are not what you want.” The Dodgers experienced success in the act of greeting the pitches of Nova with the barrels of their bats. Finding runs was more difficult. Pittsburgh fields a fleet-footed outfield, including left fielder Marte, who ran down a line drive off the bat of Josh Reddick in the fifth inning, transforming a potential RBI double into the third out. “Those guys over there, they can defend,” Roberts said. The sixth inning started more kindly for the Dodgers, when Adrian Gonzalez smashed a belt-high curveball to center. McCutchen dived for the ball, only to see it deflect off his glove, and Gonzalez had a double. One out later, Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle removed Nova, rather than let him face Pederson for a third time. But Pederson, who had doubled in his first two at-bats, struck out against left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo after getting ahead in the count 3-1, and Kendrick grounded out to end the inning. Mercer accounted for the game’s final run when he deposited a Stripling fastball over the left-field fence. A fan chucked the ball back onto the diamond, a futile act on a night marked by frustration. Brett Anderson will make 2016 debut for Dodgers on Sunday By Andy McCullough After being sidelined for the first four months of the season, Brett Anderson is scheduled to make his 2016 debut for the Dodgers on Sunday against Pittsburgh. Anderson underwent back surgery in March, and acted as the first domino to fall in a season marred by pitching injuries. But the Dodgers have rebounded despite the flurry of setbacks, and now Anderson is ready to join them. He made three minor league rehabilitation starts to rebuild arm strength.

“I’m excited for Brett,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s been a long road for him. To get him back is obviously a good thing for us.” Brandon McCarthy will start Saturday. He completed a bullpen session Thursday in which, in his words, the catcher caught all of his pitches, which served as an upgrade from his performances earlier this month. McCarthy rediscovered a comfort in his delivery that was lacking in his last two starts. He threw in the bullpen at a level that convinced Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt he could survive on Saturday. “I felt normal this week,” McCarthy said. “That’s what I’m going off.” With McCarthy and Anderson in the rotation, rookie Julio Urias returned to the bullpen. Urias celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday. “Hey Juli!” Roberts called out to Urias as he spoke with the media before the game. “Feliz cumpleanos! You get the cake coming. And a hug.” Short hops Roberts repeated his hope that outfielder Andre Ethier (broken leg) can contribute this season. Ethier has been able to take batting practice and jog. But given the lack of healing with his leg, Roberts said, “while September is certainly realistic, but to what capacity or extent, we really don’t know.” . . . Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk) played catch again on Friday, but the Dodgers still will not share whether or when he is planning to pitch off a mound again . . . With reliever Joe Blanton back from the bereavement list, the Dodgers optioned reliever Luis Avilan to the minors.

DODGER INSIDER

Brett Anderson to make 2016 debut Sunday By Jon Weisman Brett Anderson’s beard has gotten a lot longer since you last saw him in a big-league game. But his wait has gotten a lot shorter. Two games from now, Anderson will make his first official start of 2016, taking the mound in the Dodgers’ series finale Sunday against the Pirates. “I’m excited for Brett — it’s been a long road for him,” Dave Roberts said. “So to get him back, I think is obviously a good thing for us. Sidelined by March back surgery, Anderson pitched a career-high 180 1/3 innings in 2015 with a 3.69 ERA. He made 18 quality starts last season and pitched at least five innings in 26 out of 31 games.

Anderson will follow Brandon McCarthy, who worked through some mechanical issues in two bullpen sessions this week and will make his scheduled start on Saturday. “Just getting the natural feel back,” McCarthy said. “It felt very normal this week. … It wasn’t anything huge, but got to see what that leads to. “A couple of things get off base and you feel screwy, and then it turns into you do’t believe you can execute something because your body’s not in position to allow you to execute it, so it just kinds of compounds upon itself. It feels like something’s been found now, so just making sure that’s it. It’s a very basic thing, but it’s something you can get away from quickly.” Julio Urías, who was the backup plan for this weekend, will be available out of the bullpen in long relief if needed. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Kershaw's on the field throwing right now. Earlier at about 35 feet, then more like 90. In his own bid to come back from back issues, Clayton Kershaw threw on flat ground today and is expected to throw again Saturday, according to Roberts. Joe Blanton returns, Luis Avilan optioned By Jon Weisman Right-hander Joe Blanton has been reinstated from bereavement leave to the active roster by the Dodgers, who have optioned left-hander Luis Avilan. Blanton (2.64 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) leads the Dodgers with 54 games and 58 relief innings, but he has been away from the team since Monday. Avilan has a 5.91 ERA and 1.41 WHIP after allowing three runs while facing four batters in the Dodgers’ 8-5 victory Sunday over Boston. He didn’t pitch in the recently completed Phillies series. The Dodger bullpen now goes back to having two lefties in J.P. Howell and Grant Dayton. Julio Urías, who turned 20 today, is potentially a third lefty if he isn’t needed in the starting rotation this weekend. Adam Liberatore is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday. Stars (and stripes) for Kershaw at Ping Pong 4 Purpose By Jon Weisman Thursday’s fourth annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose proved once again to be a happy and fun fundraiser for Kershaw’s Challenge. Here are some photo highlights on a night when Will Ferrell (wearing a Vic Davalillo jersey) was the emcee, Susan Sarandon was a special guest, Dennis Gilbert was the honoree, but Clayton Kershaw’s outfit was the star.

You tweet the call: Who’s the most underrated Dodger? By Jon Weisman Over at ESPN.com, David Schoenfield selected the most underrated player on all 30 MLB teams. For the Dodgers, he picked Kenta Maeda, which isn’t a bad choice, given that Maeda is 17th in wins above replacement among National League pitchers, which in my book makes him a high No. 2 starter. “Underrated” and “overrated” are subjective concepts, based not only on your evaluation of the player’s performance but also of how he is perceived, so there’s no clear right or wrong answer. For example, Schoenfield went with Kenley Jansen for most overrated Dodger, which seems very weird to me — and even Schoenfield said “I feel bad about this one.” Anyway, for most underrated Dodger, my instinct was to go with Yasmani Grandal, because my sense is that there’s barely been any awareness in the city of Los Angeles, let alone the rest of the country, of how good he has been. Corey Seager is a Rookie of the Year favorite who has steadily become an MVP candidate — he leads the NL in WAR today — but the secret is definitely out on him. Justin Turner’s prowess has been a bit more stealthy, but I’d still say he gets exponentially more attention than Grandal. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VS LOS ANGELES DODGERSAnother good choice might be Joc Pederson, who got his sophomore slump out of the way during spring semester of his freshman year. Pederson has shown nearly across-the-board improvement in 2016, with a higher OPS and adjusted OPS, lower strikeout rate and better defensive rankings. At the pace he’s going, Pederson would become the youngest Dodger center fielder with an OPS+ of at least 120 since Duke Snider in 1950. Something tells me that very few people, especially on a national scale, really appreciate how much he has contributed in 2016 and how promising he remains. But as you can see above, I ultimately decided to leave it up to you. Here are some of your replies to my tweet: Who’s the most underrated Dodger this season? Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Caleb DeLong @CalebDeLong6 @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield ginger by far Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. julio @JulioN_FC @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Liberatore

Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. #Tedyourfriend @ubermanofsteel @DodgerInsider Pederson mainly because of the adjustments he has made this year. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Chris Pennington @bpmdodger @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield I agree, it's Grandal. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Donnie Facepalm @donnie_facepalm @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Dave Roberts Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Gus @RoastedCacheux @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Maeda simply because I feel like he's he only pitcher who hasn't been on the DL this season Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. (((Casey Goldman))) @TheDeliMan1 @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield I'm late to the party, but it's probably Pedro Baez. Err... Petey. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. KHB @kbteach_1 @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Kendrick Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Jack Kleinman @jkleinman34

@DodgerInsider @dschoenfield the front office. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Blake @BlakeW47 @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield the entire bullpen Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Purple Drank @purpledrank0 @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Kershaw. Ever since he unselfishly stepped aside, the Dodgers have been winning. Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. Philip Loos @i_am_puddle @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield Grandal, Turner, Pederson, Maeda, Baez, and Wood are all good choices Dodger Insider @DodgerInsider Who's the most underrated Dodger this season? Subjective, I know. At ESPN, @dschoenfield said Maeda. I think I'd say Grandal. John G. Blanchard @isednom @DodgerInsider @dschoenfield I have everyone perfectly rated. They didn't ask me. Dodgers extend Rancho Cucamonga affiliation through 2018 By Jon Weisman Following the two-year extension of their affiliations August 3 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Double-A Tulsa and Single-A Great Lakes, the Dodgers announced Thursday they had done the same with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga through the 2018 season. Rancho Cucamonga has been in partnership with the Dodgers since 2011, meaning that Dodgers as seasoned as Kenley Jansen have played there. Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, A.J. Ellis and Justin Turner are among those who have made rehab trips there as well. “Our fans love being able to enjoy watching the top talent in the Dodgers’ minor league system on their way to Los Angeles,” Quakes vice president and general manager Grant Riddle said. “And with so many

rehabbing players that the Dodgers have sent to LoanMart Field over the last six years, it’s really been a treat for our fans.” Brock Stewart and Andrew Toles began their 2016 seasons with Rancho before making the climb all the way to the big leagues this year. “We are extremely happy to continue our partnership with the Quakes for two more years,” director of player development Gabe Kapler said. “Grant, Brent (Miles, team president), their staff, the city of Rancho Cucamonga and Quakes fans work together to create an atmosphere and environment that helps our players develop every day. We are confident that our affiliation will continue to produce outstanding Dodgers player for years to come.”

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Dodgers fall behind early, drop opener to Pirates By Eric Stephen The Dodgers fell behind early on Friday night and never recovered, dropping their series opener to the Pirates 5-1 at Dodger Stadium. Pittsburgh has beaten LA in four of their five meetings this season. The rally for Pittsburgh in the first inning seemed to consist of several balls hit to Corey Seager that weren’t converted into as many outs as they should have been. The inning produced four singles, two of the infield variety, and a potential double play ball that instead became a force out and another run, the third of the inning. The Dodgers hit the ball relatively hard against Ivan Nova, including three doubles among their nine hits against him, but could produce just one run. The stellar Pirates outfield caught seven of Nova’s 16 outs recorded. Ross Stripling got another spot start opportunity with Rich Hill and his blistery left hand still unavailable, and after the first-inning hiccup pitched relatively well. He allowed solo home runs to Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer, but also retired all 11 batters in between. What began as a fill-in to help the starting staff became, thanks to Stripling’s efficiency, an outing that helped save the bullpen as well. Stripling threw just 92 pitches in completing seven innings, just the third Dodgers pitcher to last seven innings in their last 42 games, and the first since Scott Kazmir on July 19. Jesse Chavez pitched the final two innings in another act of bullpen preservation. Up next The Dodgers will turn to Brandon McCarthy on Saturday afternoon, a 1:05 p.m. PT start on both SportsNet LA and MLB Network. Gerrit Cole starts for the Pirates in the middle game of the series. Friday particulars

Home runs: Andrew McCutchen (16), Jordy Mercer (7) WP - Ivan Nova (9-6): 5⅓ IP, 9 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts LP - Ross Stripling (3-4): 7 IP, 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 strikeouts Sv - Tony Watson (5): 1 up, 1 down Another solid start for Jose De Leon, Oklahoma City wins 8-4 By Craig Minami Oklahoma City, Tulsa and AZL Dodgers win, Rancho Cucamonga, Great Lakes, Ogden, and both DSL Dodgers lose. Player of the day Jose De Leon pitched seven innings, allowing two runs, five hits, two walks and struck out seven. In his last three starts, De Leon has pitched 20 innings, giving up 12 hits, eight runs (four earned), four walks, and 13 strikeouts. Triple-A Oklahoma City The Dodgers got out to a big lead and beat the Chihuahuas (Padres) 8-4. Jose De Leon won his fifth game of the season and pitched seven innings for the second time in his three starts. By the fourth inning, the Dodgers led 8-0. De Leon gave up two runs in the sixth and the Chihuahuas scored twice more in the ninth. Yasiel Puig went 3-for-5 with a triple and a home run. He scored twice and had four RBI. Micah Johnson and Alex Hassan also had two hits each. Double-A Tulsa The Drillers shutout the RoughRiders (Rangers) 7-0. Chase De Jong pitched six innings, giving up five hits, one walk and struck out six. Scott Griggs, Jeff Malm, and Joe Broussard each pitched a scoreless inning. Tulsa pounded out 13 hits, Willie Calhoun was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Edwin Rios has continued his fine hitting, on Friday, Rios went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run. Joey Curletta hit a three-run home run. Class-A Rancho Cucamonga The Quakes dropped their series opener to the Rawhide (Diamondbacks) 8-3. Michael Boyle pitched six innings, giving up four runs (two earned). Casey Fien gave up a run in his one inning of rehab work. Ariel Sandoval and Devan Ahart each had two hits. Johan Mieses hit his 25th home run of the season. Class-A Great Lakes The Loons could not comeback and lost to the Captains (Indians) 5-3. The Captains scored four runs in the eighth to take the lead.

Dennis Santana took the loss, he pitched 4⅓ innings, gave up four runs (three earned). three hits, four walks and struck out four. Ibandel Isabel went 2-for-3. Pioneer - Ogden The Raptors dropped a one-run decision to the Mustangs (Reds) 7-6. Errol Robinson and Mitchell Hansen each had two doubles and scored twice. Willian Soto started and pitched 4⅔ and gave up four runs (three earned), five hits, walked one and struck out six. Arizona League - AZL Dodgers AZL Dodgers scored once in the ninth to tie the game and then twice in the tenth to beat the AZL Athletics 5-3. Andre Scrubb got the win for his two innings, giving up one hit and struck out two. The AZL Dodgers had 15 hits, Jake Henson, Gavin Lux, Shakir Albert, Christian Santana, Romer Cuadrado, and Carlos Aquino each had two hits. Dominican Summer League - Dodgers One & Dodgers Two Dodgers One lost to the Cubs Two 7-6 and the Red Sox One beat the Dodgers Two 8-5. Transactions Triple-A: Los Angeles Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Luis Avilan to Oklahoma City; Oklahoma City placed outfielder Zach Walters on the 7-day disabled list. Rookie: Great Lakes sent catcher Jake Henson on a rehab assignment to AZL Dodgers; right-handed pitcher Joseph Mortillaro assigned to Ogden Raptors. Friday Scores Oklahoma City 8, El Paso 4 Tulsa 7, Frisco 0 Visalia 8, Rancho Cucamonga 3 Lake County 5, Great Lakes 3 Billings 7, Ogden 6 AZL Dodgers 5, AZL Athletics 3 (10) Cubs Two 7, Dodgers One 6 Red Sox One 8, Dodgers Two 5 Saturday Schedule 4:05 p.m. PT - Lake County (Shao-Ching Chiang) at Great Lakes (TBD) 5:05 p.m. - El Paso (Bryan Rodriguez) at Oklahoma City (Lisalverto Bonilla) 5:05 p.m. - Frisco (Scott Carroll) at Tulsa (Isaac Anderson) 6:00 p.m. - Billings (TBD) at Ogden (Roberth Fernandez) 7:00 p.m. - AZL Indians at AZL Dodgers 7:05 p.m. - Visalia (Brad Keller) at Rancho Cucamonga (Adam Bray)

Joe Blanton returns from bereavement leave, Dodgers option Luis Avilan to Triple-A By Eric Stephen LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers will have Joe Blanton back in their bullpen on Friday for their series against the Pirates, with the relief pitcher back from the bereavement list after missing three games. Luis Avilan was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Blanton. Blanton was placed on the bereavement list on Monday, and per baseball rules had to miss a minimum of three games, with a maximum of seven. Blanton leads Dodgers reliever in both games (54) and innings (58) this season, and has been one of manager Dave Roberts’ most trusted setup men, putting up a 2.64 ERA and 3.36 FIP, with 56 strikeouts and 14 unintentional walks. Avilan has a 5.91 ERA in 16 games in three different major league stints with the Dodgers this season, striking out 16 with four intentional walks in 10⅔ innings. In other news, Brandon McCarthy seems to have figured some things out with his control problem that surfaced in his last two starts, and he will start Saturday for the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday. Roberts also said that Brett Anderson will start on Sunday. It will be the 2016 debut for Anderson, who had back surgery in March. Dodgers try for more home cooking against the Pirates By Eric Stephen The Dodgers close out their nine-game homestand with a weekend series against the Pirates, hoping to return the favor to Pittsburgh after dropping three of four games at PNC Park in June. After a slow start to the season, the Dodgers offense has fared better at Dodger Stadium lately, including 5.45 runs per game over the last two homestands, totaling 11 games. On the season, the Dodgers are scoring 4.19 runs per game at home compared to 4.67 runs on the road, though the underlying numbers have been much closer. At Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are hitting .244/.317/.415 with a .316 wOBA in 2016, compared to .251/.321/.399 and a .312 wOBA on the road. The difference has been with runners in scoring position, hitting .243/.327/.387 at home, and .263/.353/.425 in those situations on the road.

Where the Dodgers have really seen the difference home and away has been on pitching and defense. The club has allowed only 3.29 runs per game at Dodger Stadium, compared to 4.44 runs per game on the road. The result is a +53 run differential and a 37-22 record at home, compared to +13 and 27-28 on the road. The Dodgers are 7-1-1 in their last nine home series, and have won 20 of their last 27 games at Dodger Stadium. Ross Stripling gets the call for the Dodgers, having allowed just two runs in 13⅔ innings in his four appearances since the All-Star break, including five scoreless innings last Saturday at home against Boston.

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Even in defeat, Dodgers seeing more from Ross Stripling By Doug Padilla LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed some length from a starting pitcher -- finally -- yet were left with nothing to show for the effort Friday night. Ross Stripling went seven innings in a spot start as the Dodgers still lost 5-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers remained one game back in the National League West, though, after the San Francisco Giants fell to the Baltimore Orioles. Plenty has been made of the Dodgers’ play since Clayton Kershaw went down with a back injury June 26, coincidentally at Pittsburgh. The bullpen has responded, the offense has come to life and the Dodgers have one of the best records in baseball since then. It has helped the club close what was once an eight-game deficit in the division despite the fact that their best pitcher, and unquestioned star of the first half, hasn’t pitched in a month and a half. Yet even as the Dodgers have posted better results, the starting rotation has not been part of the revival. Kershaw clearly is a tough act to follow, but the string of Dodgers starters who have followed have delivered an average of about five innings per outing in the time the ace has been recovering. In fact, Stripling was just the third Dodgers pitcher to give the team seven innings since Kershaw was injured 47 days prior. Kenta Maeda went seven innings July 10 and Scott Kazmir did it July 19. “Just on a personal level, I do [think about trying to get deep in a game],” Stripling said. “I basically got sent to Arizona for a month because I couldn’t, so to be able to come back and go five strong [innings] in my last start and be able to make it seven today, that’s big for me and my personal confidence and be able to show that I can go 90-plus pitches and get guys out.” It was the first time Stripling went seven innings since taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his major league debut, way back in early April.

Despite not sticking on the roster all season, Stripling has managed to show he could be a rotation mainstay for the future, as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter with a four-pitch mix who could be able to give the club 200 innings in a season sometime soon. It was never going to happen this year, though, not in his first season in the major leagues and not when he is less than two full years removed from Tommy John surgery. Even with his seven innings Friday, Stripling has just 66⅓ innings with the Dodgers this season and another 19⅔ in the minor leagues. He has handled a demotion and a bullpen role without complaint this season, showing a temperament the Dodgers will be eager to reward. “You never know how a season is going to play out, but Ross has had a great opportunity and has really seized the moment,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And I think that now and going forward, it has been a great learning process for Ross and I think his growth has been exponential.” Even though the Dodgers lost Friday, the club can still take a positive from the evening. The Dodgers used only two pitchers on the night: Stripling and reliever Jesse Chavez. It was the first time they had used only two pitchers in a game since that fateful night at Pittsburgh in late June, when Kershaw last took the mound. The wear and tear on the bullpen remains a concern. While the short starts have piled up innings on the relief pitchers, the Dodgers have been carrying eight arms in the bullpen for most of the season, so the workload is not as bad as it could have been. But after a day off Thursday and only using Chavez on Friday, Roberts believes the batteries on the relief crew are now fully charged. “I think that our bullpen is in as good a standing as it has been all year now that we have Joe [Blanton] back from the bereavement list,” Roberts said. “With the off day and what Ross did today, and Chavez going two innings, we’re still in good position to win a series. Saturday we’re going to have our hands full with [Pirates starter] Gerrit Cole, but it’s important for [Brandon] McCarthy to come out and throw the ball well.” If McCarthy can match Stripling, the Dodgers will be pleased. Stripling’s biggest issue came in a three-run first inning for the Pirates. Adding to the frustration was the fact that the Pirates came away with three infield singles in the inning. Instead of becoming frustrated, though, Stripling was locked in, electing to stick with his game plan instead of trying to make an adjustment. He gave up two home runs over the next six innings, but they were the only two hits he allowed after the first inning. “Obviously this has meant a lot,” Stripling said. “Long story short, I came into spring just hoping to prove to the front office that I’m still alive and can pitch. I was able to have a good spring and make the team, which was awesome. “To get optioned down and come back and be in the bullpen for a while, it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been fun to show I can do multiple roles. I think when the season’s over, we can all have rungs and I can say it was a long journey.”

McCutchen, Mercer power Nova and Pirates past Dodgers 5-1 By Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- Ivan Nova felt fortunate to be pitching in a big ballpark with Pittsburgh's fielders behind him. Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer homered to lead Nova and the Pirates past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 on Friday night. "The key to this game was our defense," said Nova, recently acquired from the Yankees. "It was not one of the best games that I've pitched. There were too many hits and it's amazing they only had one run." Handed a three-run lead before he threw a pitch, Nova (2-0) has won both starts for the Pirates since they obtained him from New York at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. The right-hander scattered nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in his first outing against the Dodgers and improved to 9-6 overall this season. "They're aggressive hitters and some of the balls they hit would have been out of an American League ballpark," Nova said. Los Angeles remained one game behind the first-place Giants in the NL West. San Francisco lost 5-2 to Baltimore. Pittsburgh opened a six-game West Coast swing and moved within a game of Miami for the second NL wild card. Nova twice struck out opposing pitcher Ross Stripling to end a rally. The new Pirates starter was replaced by Antonio Bastardo, who got the final two outs in the sixth. Felipe Rivero, Neftali Feliz, Juan Nicasio and Tony Watson followed and shut down the Dodgers. Watson came on with runners at the corners and retired Corey Seager for his fifth save. Dating to June 23, the Pirates' bullpen has posted the lowest ERA (2.13) and best winning percentage 11-2 (.846) of any major league team. "Everyone in the bullpen accepts their roles and pulls for one another," Bastardo said. "It gives us confidence and we're winning games." Stripling (3-4) started in place of Rich Hill, who remained on the disabled list with a middle finger blister on his pitching hand. After a rough first inning, Stripling retired 17 of 19 hitters but gave up five runs, including solo homers to McCutchen and Mercer. "Those were probably the two worst pitches I made all night," Stripling said. "They definitely punished me for them." McCutchen also made an outstanding, over-the-shoulder catch near the warning track in left-center in the second inning to take an extra-base hit away from Yasmani Grandal.

"McCutchen had a fantastic game. I'm going to keep running him out there," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. Los Angeles outfielder Josh Reddick robbed Josh Harrison of a home run when he reached over the low right-field wall to make a grab. Pittsburgh, which had lost eight of 10 road games, extended its recent dominance of the Dodgers. The Pirates have beaten Los Angeles in four of five games this season and improved their record to 14-4 against the Dodgers since the beginning of the 2014 season. Pittsburgh jumped on Stripling for four hits and three runs in the first. McCutchen and David Freese stroked RBI singles, and Mercer's RBI fielder's choice made it 3-0. Howie Kendrick's two-out RBI single in the second cut the lead to 3-1. Kendrick finished with three hits. McCutchen continued his torrid hitting at Dodger Stadium with a third-inning solo shot, his 16th of the season. In his last seven games at Dodger Stadium, the slugger is 8 for 16 with four doubles and two home runs. "I love Dodger Stadium and LA. It's Paradise, and the weather is always great," McCutchen said. "When we come out here, I seem to get more down time and I'm more relaxed." Mercer led off the seventh with his seventh homer of the season, upping Pittsburgh's lead to 5-1. TRAINER'S ROOM Pirates: Pittsburgh C Francisco Cervelli is day to day after leaving Wednesday's game after four innings with left wrist discomfort. ... C Chris Stewart, on the DL since July 2 with left knee discomfort, is expected to begin a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Altoona. Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw, on the 60-day DL with a mild disk herniation, is scheduled to play catch Saturday. No target date has been set for his return. ... RHP Joe Blanton was reinstated from the bereavement list, and the Dodgers optioned LHP Luis Avilan to Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... The Dodgers plan to activate LHP Brett Anderson (herniated disk surgery) off the DL in time to start Sunday's series finale. CHARLIE HUSTLE Dodgers 2B Chase Utley has 409 plate appearances this season without grounding into a double play, the most of any big leaguer. According to STATS, only one Dodgers player has completed an entire season with more plate appearances and zero GIDPs (current manager Dave Roberts in 2003, with 440 plate appearances). UP NEXT Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (7-7) pitches Saturday. His last time out, Cole gave up four hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings and lost 7-3 to the Reds. He is 3-0 against the Dodgers in four career starts. Dodgers: RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-2) felt healthy during workouts this week and is expected to pitch Saturday. In his last outing, McCarthy went 3 2/3 innings, gave up two runs and walked five against Boston.

Yasiel Puig takes responsibility for posting party videos: Team was just playing around By Doug Padilla LOS ANGELES -- On Thursday night, it was Pokemon hunting with his new teammates. On Friday night, Yasiel Puig delivered three hits, including a home run and four RBIs, for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Stressing that he needs to be a better teammate, Puig is doing what he can in that department. The extra-curricular activities are nice, but ultimately, it is on-field production that will matter for the recently demoted Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder. "I think I have to be out there more, I have to get involved with my teammates, I have to talk to them, and I have to be nice and be out there with them," Puig told reporters through an interpreter during his introductory news conference Friday at Oklahoma City. The Dodgers sent Puig to the minor leagues on Aug. 2, a day after outfielder Josh Reddick was acquired from the Oakland Athletics. Puig's dwindling offensive production was a major reason the move was made, but his off-field behavior also was cited. Puig joined his new team Sunday, and while there has been plenty of bonding time, it has gone a little too far. The attention-grabbing outfielder already made news this week when posting videos, via Snapchat, of the team's after-hours adventures in Des Moines, Iowa, that included vulgar language and obscene gestures. "I really didn't know how to use Snapchat," Puig said. "I was just playing around with my teammates. I just did something that was wrong." Missteps aside, Puig is delivering on the field again during his first stint at Triple-A. He played at the Rookie League, Class A and Double-A levels before he was called up to the Dodgers in 2013, when he exploded upon the scene and helped carry the club into the playoffs. But his production has declined ever since becoming an All-Star in 2014, and his behavior often befuddled coaches, teammates and the front office. Puig was batting .260 with a .320 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage in 81 games this season before he was sent down. "When the club told me I was coming to OKC, I took that as their option," Puig said. "That's what they told me. I'm here and I'm trying to be a better person. There's a reason why I'm here. I'm trying to be a better teammate and a better person." If there was a theme to Puig's introductory news conference Friday, it was that he was contrite and willing to do things on others' terms, instead of his own. "I'm here because I was not doing the right things over there," he said. "I'm here to improve myself; I'm here to become a better athlete again. That's their position. Right now, I'm going to focus on being better at the plate, being a better athlete and a better teammate."

The Dodgers have heard all this before, though. There still is no guarantee Puig will be back in Los Angeles even if he continues to hit at Oklahoma City, where the regular-season schedule runs to the first week of September. But in four games at OKC, he has built a .438 batting average (7-for-16) with two home runs and six RBIs. The Dodgers can expand their September active roster to include all players from their 40-man roster. But will Puig be in that group of reinforcements? "My motivation to go back to the major leagues is be here early, be a better teammate and I have to be better as a person," he said. "I know I'm not a perfect guy, but I want to be a better teammate. That's what I'm here for." Puig says he has support from players in the Dodgers' clubhouse. "My friends back in L.A., they text me and tell me this can happen to anyone," Puig said. "The best thing you can do right now is focus and do what you need to do and then be a better teammate and also support your team." So he went out in Oklahoma City with teammates again Monday. And while he was active on his smartphone, there were no Snapchat videos this time. "Last night, we went Pokemon hunting," he said. All in an effort to be a better teammate. Clayton Kershaw throws from 90 feet, will throw again Saturday By Doug Padilla LOS ANGELES -- For the second time in a week, Los Angeles Dodgers staff ace Clayton Kershaw had a throwing session on flat ground, and the intensity of his rehab schedule appears to be increasing. Kershaw, who is out with a lower back injury, threw from about 90 feet Friday, after throwing from about 65 feet Sunday. The Dodgers are now expected to turn around Kershaw quickly and have him throw from flat ground again Saturday. "We'll see what happens," said manager Dave Roberts, who offered few details about his pitcher's recovery timetable. Kershaw has not pitched in a major league game since June 26 at Pittsburgh. He had one simulated start against minor league hitters shortly after the All-Star break, on July 16, but he had a setback that day and was shut down again. Sunday's throwing session marked the first time he participated in baseball-related activity, outside of rehab for his lower back injury, since the simulated game.

Kershaw has said all along that he intends to pitch again this season, even saying he wants to have an impact on the club down the stretch. Roberts has also been optimistic that Kershaw will pitch again in 2016. Asked if Kershaw will have a throwing session from atop a pitcher's mound soon, Roberts said, "There might be something on the horizon, but I'm not sure what day." If Kershaw throws from a mound next week, it will be at Dodger Stadium. Roberts said Kershaw will not be asked to continue his rehab on the club's upcoming trip to Philadelphia and Cincinnati that starts Tuesday. Brett Anderson's 2016 debut among latest Dodgers pitching changes By Doug Padilla LOS ANGELES -- The latest Los Angeles Dodgers starting-pitching scramble has Ross Stripling making just his second start in three months Friday, Brandon McCarthy making enough improvements to pitch Saturday and Brett Anderson set for his first appearance of the season Sunday. Dodgers pitchers might not be going deep into games, but there have been plenty of candidates to take the mound. Stripling will make his fifth appearance since returning to the Dodgers following a late-May demotion designed to keep his innings count in check. The right-hander is just two years removed from Tommy John surgery. McCarthy is another Dodgers right-hander on the mend from Tommy John, and his return has been a rocky ride so far. He has made seven starts since coming back, pitching well early but having command issues in his two most recent outings, particularly with his four-seam fastball. In fact, McCarthy went through two bullpen side sessions this week in order to show the Dodgers he can be effective. McCarthy admitted to a minor mechanical tweak over the past few days, but declined to go into details about it. “It’s enough that a couple of things get off base and you feel screwy, and then it turns into you not believing you can execute something because physically your body is not in position to execute it so it compounds upon itself,” McCarthy said Friday. “It feels like something has been found, now it’s just making sure that’s it.” No two fastballs seemed to look alike for McCarthy in starts Sunday against the Boston Red Sox and last week at Colorado. While one fastball would reach the backstop, another would be a strike, and yet another was liable to hit the batter. McCarthy blamed a loss of “feel” for the location issues, but sounded as though things would be much improved this time around.

“It’s a very basic thing but it’s something you can get away from quickly,” McCarthy said. “It’s just reinforcing that and trying to do it the right way.” It was a little more than a month ago that McCarthy made his 2016 debut, something Anderson will go through Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Anderson, who was expected to be a member of the Opening Day rotation, instead has been out of action after undergoing an arthroscopic back procedure during spring training. In 180⅓ innings for the Dodgers last season, Anderson, 28, was 10-9 with a solid 3.69 ERA, making 31 starts. He might not be able to go deep into games early, but if he stays healthy he could be in line to make 10 starts over the final two months and build up length. “I’m excited for Brett,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s been a long road for him. So to get him back I think it’s obviously a good thing for us.” Dodgers still think Andre Ethier can contribute in 2016 By Doug Padilla LOS ANGELES -- Not only was Andre Ethier a topic of conversation before Friday’s game, but the Los Angeles Dodgers still are optimistic the injured outfielder will be able to play this season. Ethier has been out of action since fracturing a bone in his right lower leg when he fouled a ball off the side of his shin during a spring-training game March 18. He was only supposed to miss 10 to 14 weeks when his injury was diagnosed, but the 34-year-old has about doubled that timetable now. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is still holding out hope Ethier can contribute at some point. “Dre has exchanged some text messages with some players; I haven’t talked to Dre in a couple of weeks, but as I understand it he is swinging the bat, taking some batting practice, doing some weight-bearing jogging,” Roberts said. “So September is certainly realistic, but to what capacity or extent, I don’t know.” After a solid rebound season in 2015 (.294 batting average, .486 slugging percentage), Ethier was expected to be a key contributor to the 2016 offense. The left-handed hitter still has one more season remaining on a five-year, $85 million contract he signed before the 2012 season. The Dodgers also hold a team option for 2018 that can be bought out for $2.5 million.

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Pirates Drop Dodgers 5-1, in Ivan Nova's Second Start By Michael Duarte Time to walk the plank.

Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer both homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates punished the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1, on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. "Those were the two worst pitches I made of the night," Stripling said of the solo shots he surrendered. "They definitely punished me for them." Los Angeles was looking to tie the Giants for first place in the National League West after their rivals lost in San Francisco, but were never able to claw their way back from an early three-run hole. The Pirates pelted rookie Ross Stripling with three straight singles to start the game as Pittsburgh staked a 3-0 lead before fans found their seats. "The first inning is frustrating when only one ball gets to the outfield and you give up three runs," Stripling said of the exasperating first inning. "After an inning like that you just have to keep the team in it the best you can and give your guys a chance to win." The Dodgers got on the board in the bottom half of the second after back-to-back two-out doubles by Joc Pederson and Howie Kendrick, but McCutcheon got the run right back with a solo shot in the top of the third. "Nothing like being able to drive the ball to the opposite side and to do it with authority," said McCutcheon who is batting .419 with six doubles, four homers and 15 RBI at Dodger Stadium. "It's Dodger Stadium, it's LA, It's paradise." Pederson smacked two doubles and scored the Dodgers only run, and Kendrick finished with three hits and an RBI. Stripling (3-4) settled in from there, pitching deep into the game before he served up a solo to Mercer to leadoff the seventh inning. "After the sixth, Honey [Rick Honeycutt] came up to me and said 'How do you feel?' I said, 'I feel fine, I went to Arizona for a month, for this,' then to give up a leadoff jack, that stinks," Stripling said of the leadoff homer to Mercer. "I'm not gonna lie, I looked over to see if Doc [Roberts] was coming and he wasn't. So i beared down and got the next three outs." The rookie right-hander allowed five runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts in a seven strong innings, the longest start by a Dodger starter since July 19, and Stripling's second longest start since he threw a no-hitter over 7 and 1/3 innings in his MLB debut. "Ross threw the ball well all night long," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "It was just one of those games where nothing went are way." The Dodgers had no answer for former Yankees' right-hander Ivan Nova, who was making just his second after he was acquired by the Pirates at the trade deadline. "There's not a much familiarity there with Nova, but we squared up a lot of baseballs tonight," continued Roberts. "He didn't walk guys and made us put the ball in play."

Nova (9-6) is now 2-0 as member of the Pirates and he kept the Dodgers in check allowing just one run on nine hits with two strikeouts in 5 and 1/3 innings of work. "Pitching in the national league, the ballparks are bigger than in the American League," Nova said of his undefeated start with Pittsburgh. "The defense I have behind me has allowed me to be more aggressive." Los Angeles remains a game-behind the Giants with both teams set to meet in a head-to-head matchup next Monday at Dodger Stadium. Players of the Game: Andrew McCutcheon: 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Jordy Mercer: 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Howie Kendrick: 3-for-4 with an RBI. Three Takeaways: 1. Chase Me: Chase Utley leads the Major Leagues with a total of 412 plate appearances this season without grounding into a double play. According to Stats, LLC, only one Dodger player has ever had more plate appearances without grounding into a double play, and it's manager Dave Roberts who went 440 plate appearances before finally grounding into the twin killing. 2. No More Teenager: Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday as the pitcher nicknamed "The Teenager," will have to think of a new nickname before long. 3. Royalty Reigns the Ravine: Friday night was L.A. Kings night at Dodger Stadium as hockey players Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Brayden McNabb and Tyler Toffoli all threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Toffoli took batting practice with the Dodgers and hit a home run to left field. Up Next: Pirates (58-55): Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole starts on Saturday. Dodgers (64-51): Los Angeles looks to Brandon McCarthy for a bounce-back win at 1:10PM PST.

FANGRAPHS

We Need To Talk About The Dodgers Rotation By Corinne Landrey If you’re searching for a compelling National League division race, the only place to turn is the west coast. With the Nationals currently 7-1/2 games up on the second place Marlins and the Cubs sporting an even wider 13-game lead on the Cardinals, the one game separating the Giants and Dodgers at the top of the western division makes it the only intriguing race going. Given that the Dodgers are arguably the favorites to win the division and inarguably a playoff contender, I have what should be an easy question: Which five pitchers are currently in the Dodgers rotation? Don’t wrack your brain too hard; it’s a trick question. There are the two pitchers who have been healthy all season, Kenta Maeda and Scott Kazmir, and then there’s Brandon McCarthy who returned to the rotation in July from his Tommy John Surgery. Beyond that it gets increasingly murky.

Julio Urias is currently in the rotation, but the now 20-year-old could be headed to the bullpen any day now in order to manage his innings workload. The last three cycles through the rotation have featured a start by tonight’s scheduled starter, Ross Stripling, but they also have Brett Anderson — who is rehabbing from his back injury and may make his 2016 debut this weekend — as well as deadline acquisition Rich Hill, who hasn’t pitched in a month due to what must be the nastiest blister in baseball. And, just for good measure, there’s also Bud Norris, who is scheduled to come off the disabled list next week. With all of these factors in play, it shouldn’t come as a shock that, as of Friday morning, the Dodgers have yet to announce their probable starters for any game beyond tonight. While it’s a stretch to say the Dodgers rotation is unsettled by design, it is a natural byproduct of the rotation building strategy employed by the team heading into the season. It could be argued the Dodgers opted for quantity over quality or, perhaps more accurately, quantity over dependability, as they stockpiled starting pitchers with atypically high risk factors. In addition to the eight (!) starting pitchers mentioned in the previous paragraph, the team also currently has Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood on the disabled list with elbow injuries. Oh and some guy named Clayton Kershaw is on the DL, too. While the Dodgers don’t lead the league in starting pitchers used this season, they’re near the top of the list: When (if) they add Anderson and Hill in the coming days, their total starting pitchers used will increase from 12 to 14 and push them even further up the list. Given the company they’ll keep at the top of the list — Atlanta and Cincinnati, yikes — this sounds like an awful development for a team that intends to compete. But, well, here’s the thing about the chaotic Dodgers rotation: It’s good? The Dodgers are fourth in the major leagues in runs allowed per game, trailing only the three teams with the most celebrated rotations in the game: the Cubs, Nationals and Mets. Of course some of that success is attributable to a bullpen anchored by one of the best relievers in the game, Kenley Jansen, as well as the otherworldly performance put on by Kershaw prior to his injury. Let’s isolate the rotation and see how it stacks up both as a whole and after excluding Kershaw’s brilliance: 2016 Dodgers Rotation 2016 Dodgers IP ERA MLB Rank FIP MLB Rank K% MLB Rank WHIP MLB Rank Rotation 634.2 3.90 6th 3.53 3rd 25.3% T-1st 1.18 3rd Rotation w/o Kershaw 513.2 4.40 15th 3.98 7th 23.7% 2nd 1.29 8th

Maybe this is a function of me not paying close enough attention, but that strikeout rate absolutely floored me when I first saw it. I double and even triple checked to make sure I was seeing it right. How has a rotation with a revolving door of starting pitchers managed to post a nearly 24% strikeout rate after discarding Kershaw’s contributions? There have been 35 pitchers in baseball this season to make six or more starts for a team and post a strikeout rate of 24% or better. Seven teams don’t have a single pitcher who matches that description; the Dodgers have seven — Kazmir, Kershaw, Maeda, McCarthy, Norris, Urias and Wood. The only other team with more than two pitchers in this group is the Cubs, who have three — Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Jon Lester. The not-so secret weapon for the Dodgers and their pitching staff that has gone unmentioned to this point is their catcher, Yasmani Grandal. So far this season, Grandal has more than lived up to his longstanding reputation as one of the game’s best framing catchers. Per Baseball Prospectus’ catching defensive metrics, only Buster Posey has added more runs than Grandal via framing this season. Does

that explain the Dodgers’ prolific strikeout rates all on its own? Of course not. But a stellar defensive catcher can allow the Dodgers’ pitchers true performance level to play up. What has made this particularly successful so far is that Grandal is not elevating the performance of replacement level pitchers. The key to the Dodgers “quantity over quality” strategy has been the quality of the quantity. Although it’s still too early to call this Dodgers strategy a success — we’ll need to reevaluate that after we first see whether this team ultimately does make the postseason and then what healthy arms they have to start in October — but as for right now, the plan is working out as well as could be hoped given the plethora of injuries that have decimated the team.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Dodgers partner with Kinduct to track athletic performance By Allasyn Lieneck After a successful run in the Dodgers and RGA Accelerator program, sports tech company Kinduct Technologies has now signed the LA Dodgers as a client. Kinduct supplies teams with management technology that collects information regarding their athletes. The data includes results from strength, conditioning and rehab sessions, biomechanical assessments, fitness tests, statistics feeds, and much more, which is available through one centralized program. “After working closely with the Kinduct team in our Accelerator program, we are extremely impressed with their platform and excited about the opportunity for us to streamline our operations using it,” Dodgers CFO Tucker Kain said in a statement. “The Kinduct system adds a layer of science and objectivity by adding greater visibility into the health and performance of our athletes as we continue to strive for success on the field.” The Dodgers are currently a game behind the Giants in the NL West, and they are seeking even the slightest edge in what should be a close pennant race. “The Dodgers are a world class organization at every level, and we are very happy that they have chosen Kinduct to help keep their athletes healthy and performing at their best,” Kinduct CEO Travis McDonough said in a statement. “We have been working extremely hard to create and continue to innovate a technology that provides real value to our clients. Our recent growth in professional sports, in particular, has been very strong and this is largely attributable to our commitment to continuous innovation.” Kinduct Technologies is partnered with numerous other high school and professional sports teams.

TODAYS KNUCKLEBALL

Why Yasmani Grandal is better than you think By Jeremy Dorn

There’s still a frighteningly large contingent of Dodgers fans who think trading Matt Kemp (and Tim Federowicz) to San Diego before the 2015 season for Yasmani Grandal and two since-traded minor league pitchers was a mistake. They bemoan the Dodgers not swinging a move for Jonathan Lucroy so as to bump Grandal out of a starting role. Nevermind that Grandal is a 27-year-old switch-hitting catcher who isn’t eligible for free agency until 2019, whereas Kemp has already been shipped out of San Diego (where his work ethic was questioned and his overall production continued to dip). Nevermind that Grandal leads all MLB catchers in home runs. And walks. And has the fifth-highest WAR at the position. Come on. Teams are looking for a catcher like Grandal, not giving them away. He was well-regarded for his game-calling and pitch-framing when he came to Los Angeles, and though his overall defensive performance hasn’t been phenomenal in 2016, he is a good catcher. But most importantly, Grandal can really hit. It’s his ability with the bat that helped catapult the Dodgers from wild card leader to within one game of the Giants in the NL West. It’s well-known that Corey Seager, Justin Turner and a handful of veteran hitters have starred in the comeback story that is the 2016 Dodgers. They’ve helped the team mash its way through a slew of injuries and an unreliable starting rotation back into contention for a fourth straight division title. But the overlooked aspect of that resurgence is Grandal. Eleven of his 18 homers have come since July 1st. In the last four weeks, Grandal is hitting over .300 with a 1.149 OPS. It took a while for him to come around, but Grandal is finally making a massive impact in the middle of that Dodgers’ order. Since a 5-for-5, three-homer game on July 8th (against the Padres of all teams), Grandal finally got his .183 average up over .200 and hasn’t looked back, raising it 51 points to .234 since. And that’s where the distrust among Dodgers fans lies: batting average. Look, there are some stats you can safely ignore. Pitcher wins, for example, rarely tell the whole story. Neither does RBI, which is mostly counted when a hitter delivers in a situation created by teammates getting themselves into scoring position. But batting average does tell a story. It tells, in the simplest way possible, how good a hitter is at hitting baseballs that don’t land in gloves. For most of 2016, Grandal hasn’t been great at that. But, for much of the part of the year he was struggling he was also fighting a BABIP in the low .200’s. He wasn’t great, but he was also getting unlucky, hitting a ton of balls hard right at fielders. With an uptick in luck came an uptick in batting average. Now he sits in the .230’s, which is still considered a failure for many hitters. And that’s fair. It’s an ugly number. Even hovering around .250 would be considered a below-average batter, especially when fans expect their players to get on base every time at the plate. But it’s unfair to focus on Grandal’s average as the sole judgment of his value to the Dodgers. Take into account his power. His ability to draw walks. The fact that he can hit from both sides of the plate, frame pitches expertly and has heated up with the weather this summer. Realize that the Grandal of the past two months is a better representation of his hitting abilities than the first two months of the season.

Consider that Grandal has been worth more than two wins so far, despite a “down” season offensively. That the man he was swapped for, Kemp, has a tidy WAR of exactly 0.0 (which doesn’t even take into account Joc Pederson – Kemp’s replacement in center for the Dodgers – and his 1.8 WAR, meaning the Dodgers have gotten about 4 wins out of the trade in 2016 alone). There’s a lot more to a hitter than just batting average. Especially when that hitter is a catcher. Just like there is a lot more to pitchers than wins and losses. Take the full body of work into account and appreciate that the Dodgers have one of the brightest young all-around talents at the position in baseball for next to no cost. Watch Grandal continue to get better and pay the Dodgers back multiple times over. Watch Grandal continue to be much, much better than you think.