The Los Angeles Dodgers are embarking on their longest road trip of the season, which will take them to three cities for 10 games.
The team was the last in the majors to play any American League teams, but finished their last home stand by taking two of three from the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins.
Now they hit the road to take on more first place teams, in a trip that will surely test their beleaguered pitching staff.
The bullpen has been stretched very thin by consecutive short outings by Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw. Syndergaard has been dealing with a blister that broke wide open during his previous outing. Then on Wednesday, the Dodgers lost Dustin May to what the team is calling “right flexor pronator strain”.
How long May will be out in unknown at this point. His strain is Grade 1, but his already repaired UCL is still intact. The current plan is for May to receive a PRP shot to try to avoid surgery, and best case scenario is a four to six week return.
Before Thursday’s game, the Dodgers placed May on the IL and recalled Andre Jackson and Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dylan Covey, who was originally on the taxi squad, was designated for assignment. Covey came in to cover for May after May left the game after only one inning, going 4.0 innings and allowing two solo home runs, keeping the Dodgers in the game.
The Dodgers will start their road trip Thursday evening with a four game series in St Louis, facing a Cardinals team that is much improved from when they met earlier this month. Over their last 10 games, after having been swept by the Dodgers, the Red Birds have gone 8-2 facing the Red Sox, Cubs, and Brewers.
Clayton Kershaw was expected to go on the bereavement list following his start Tuesday night, but that may be pushed back until after his Sunday start. Kershaw lost his mother last Saturday morning but has stayed with the team so far.
The pitching matchups for the Cardinals series will be Thursday, Julio Urías and Adam Wainwright. Friday, Tony Gonsolin and Steven Matz. Saturday, Noah Syndergaard and Miles Mikolas. Sunday will be Kershaw and Jack Flaherty.
After the Dodgers are done in St Louis, the Will head to Atlanta to take on the Braves, and then to Tampa Bay to battle the AL East leading Rays.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
This is going to be a really rough stretch, schedule-wise. I think I’d be happy if we go 5-5.
Poor Dylan Covey. Pretty much puts the team in a position to win yesterday and today they dfa him. I’m assuming that if he’d pitched poorly yesterday, they’d have just opened one of the plane doors on the way to St Louis and pushed him out.
LikeLike
Well that was quite a test. Don’t know what is wrong with Urias and Kershaw. They are spectacular or get bombed. No in-between. Called up Stone. Nothing else on the farm. Friedman better start doing his magic. Might want to look for a shortstop, catcher and 2/3 outfielders as well. The schedule so far has been a blessing.
LikeLike
Not a good start to this road trip. Need Gonsolin to step up tonight and right the ship. I am just hoping for a 5-5 road trip.
LikeLike
Urias stunk up the joint. His velo was way down, arm trouble? Who knows who the 5th starter is. Right now 1-4 are iffy.
LikeLike
Urias is going to want a huge extension this offseason to stay but something tells me he’s going to test the market and won’t stay in LA. I could se the Giants or Padres going after him too. I hope we can keep him even with the up and down performances but the Dodgers are going to make a run at Ohtani. He’s going to get a $500 million deal from someone which means we will have to say goodbye to a few key players to fit him. Julio is probably one of those guys. I’d love to see for one year a rotation of Kershaw, Ohtani, Buehler, Urias and May/Gonsulin. That would be almost unfair. I think May might end up in the bullpen and I think he could be an all star closer allowing Gonsulin to take the 5th spot. May’s delivery is just so violent that being a starter may just put too much stress on his arm. Having a closer that throws a 98 mph sinker would be tough to beat. As for the need for SS and OF I think the obvious choice is a trade with someone like Cartaya as the centerpiece. Quality catching is scarce and he would bring a really nice piece in return. It’s clear Will Smith isn’t going anywhere for a long time.
LikeLike
Well Gonsolin has done it again. Never a fan, but darn it he just performs every outing. I’m starting to be a believer. Took cartaya a long timeto get through the low minors and now he’s really struggling at double A. He’s young but catchers tend to disappear early in their career. Probably the the 10 best catching prospects over the past 8/10years have all failed, until just recently. But you are right, he still has good value. interesting to see where miller and cartaya end up on the mid season prospects list.
LikeLike
Totally got hosed by the HPU last night. MLB needs to address the umpiring problem ASAP. The means are there to get it right. Use them.
LikeLike
Last night’s ump was actually more accurate than average, but the one he blew on Mookie’s at bat was a killer:
https://t.co/4lrJc3Pfmz
LikeLike