Cody Snavely
The Los Angeles Dodgers kick off the second half of the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season with a seven-game homestand, starting with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have shaken the American League, currently holding the third wild card spot and only four games back from the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.
The Dodgers had an eventful all-star break with two-time all-star Teoscar Hernández becoming the first Dodgers player to win the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and Shohei Ohtani driving in all the National Leagues runs with a three-run home run off Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck.
Despite this success, let us not forget that this Dodgers team entered the all-star break on its last legs, losers of seven of their last ten games. They have been playing mediocre baseball for the better half of two months, with a 23-22 record over their last forty-five games played.
However, after a much-needed break, the Dodgers will be welcomed back to Chavez Ravine only to fight a gritty Red Sox team that has played excellent Baseball since June, propelling them into the postseason picture.
Since June 1st, the Red Sox have won twenty-four games, the most in that span, just over the red-hot Houston Astros. Prior to the break, the Red Sox were winners in seven of their last ten games and have the 2024 all-star MVP in Jarren Duran leading the way, along with some elite pitching thanks to the mastermind behind the scenes in Andrew Bailey.
Despite the opposite trajectories, it is a new half, and the Dodgers need to right the ship and be in high hopes as we approach the 2024 trade deadline.
Pitching match-ups
Game One: Gavin Stone (9-3, 3.26 ERA) vs Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.18 ERA)
Game Two: Justin Wrobleski (LHP) (0-1, 6.30 ERA) vs Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.32 ERA)
Game Three: James Paxton (LHP) (7-2, 4.38 ERA) vs Kutter Crawford (6-7, 3.04 ERA)
Game Times
Game One: 7:10 PM PT, SNLA, NESN
Game Two: 4:15 PM PT, FOX
Game Three: 4:00 PM PT, ESPN
Who’s in & who’s out?
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the break limping. Over their final six-game road trip, they placed right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day injured list due to back tightness. According to Dave Roberts, the injury is not considered severe, but he will miss a few games in the second half until he is activated.
Clayton Kershaw, who has made two rehab starts in the minor leagues, will likely be activated in the coming days. There has been speculation that he could possibly rejoin the team during the series after this against the San Fransisco Giants. However, before that, he could make one final rehab start as the final tune-up before his 2024 redemption tour begins.
Prior to this series, the Dodgers plan to activate right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly off the 60-day injured list. In his place, they have optioned righty Michael Peterson and outrighted left-handed Jose Hernandez after he cleared waivers over the break.
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol is set to begin rehab shortly this month and could rejoin the team in the coming days, while Ryan Braiser is still nursing his calf injury that might end his season.
Before the break, right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto started throwing a baseball against, but after being transferred to the 60-day injured list, the earliest he can return is August 16th.
Jason Heyward is also expected to be activated shortly after the all-star break, but not for this series. Dave Roberts stated that the veteran lefty would not need a rehab start and would rejoin the team when he was ready.
The Boston Red Sox are much healthier than the Dodgers, and they had only a few minor injuries entering this series.
The Red Sox will be without old friend Chris Martin, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. As of July 13th, Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated that the righty “did not feel great” after playing catch.
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom is expected to be out until late July to mid-August with a right hamstring strain but will start a minor league rehab assignment soon.
Perhaps the biggest bat on the Red Sox injured list is Triston Casas due to a torn cartilage in his left rib cage. However, he took a step forward prior to the break by hitting off a tee, and the next step was taking live batting practice.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
