All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman is a late scratch for the Colorado Rockies tonight against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, sidelined by ongoing shoulder inflammation. This isn’t just a tough break; it’s a massive hit to a squad already trying to find momentum, especially heading into a brutal three-game series opener at Coors Field against a powerhouse like L.A. Goodman last played on August 12 in Arizona and is currently day-to-day, leaving a huge question mark for the team.
Sugano’s Dodger Demons vs. Snell’s Explosive Return
The Rockies are sending their winningest pitcher, Tomoyuki Sugano, to the mound, rocking a 12-5 record with a 4.43 ERA. Those 12 wins are a pretty big deal for Colorado, representing the most any Rockies pitcher has notched since Germán Márquez managed the same impressive total back in 2021. It shows Sugano has been a consistent force for them. But here’s the gut-punch reality: Sugano has had an absolutely brutal time facing the Dodgers this season. In his two starts against them, he’s a stark 0-2 with a painful 8.31 ERA, getting tagged for three homers and striking out just six batters across a mere 8.2 innings. That’s a serious uphill battle he’s got to fight tonight, trying to finally break that frustrating streak. Oh, and the Rockies also made some moves, designating starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen for assignment and recalling TJ Shook, shaking things up on the pitching staff.
Across the field, the Dodgers are bringing left-hander Blake Snell to the bump for only his third start of the entire season. Snell’s journey has been a tough one, having spent a full 60 days on the Injured List dealing with loose bodies in his left elbow after making just one prior start back in May. But here’s where it gets really interesting: his first game back on August 11 against Kansas City? He was straight-up outstanding. We’re talking one run given up on only three hits, a dominant 10 strikeouts, and just one walk, all packed into six strong innings. If that dominant, comeback-story Blake Snell shows up, Colorado is definitely in for a real fight at the plate.
Grinding for Wins and Series Domination
Both these teams are locked in a challenging grind right now, with each squad posting an identical 5-5 record in their last ten games. The Rockies (50-74) found some much-needed life on the road recently, impressively snagging two series wins against Arizona and San Francisco. That’s a solid boost for a team with their record. The Dodgers, though, are comfortably leading the NL West at 74-51, and they’ve been pushing hard, hitting a demanding stretch of 10 games in 10 days. L.A. has dominated the season series so far, leading a commanding 7-3 overall, even if Colorado did manage to take that early April series at Coors Field 2-1. That home-field advantage has to count for something tonight, especially when trying to even the score.
With All-Star Hunter Goodman officially out, Brett Sullivan steps in behind the plate. Sullivan’s got some pop in his bat, evidenced by his two homers in three games in San Francisco, so the Rockies are definitely hoping he can spark something big in Goodman’s absence. But make no mistake, losing a key offensive and defensive presence like Goodman puts a huge target on their backs, especially against a relentless division leader like the Dodgers.
Tonight’s 6:40 p.m. MDT first pitch at Coors Field isn’t just another game on the schedule. It’s a huge test for Sugano to try and finally break his Dodger curse, a massive chance for Snell to truly prove his comeback is for real after that injury, and a demanding challenge for the Rockies as they face a tough division leader without their All-Star catcher. Every single pitch is gonna matter tonight, big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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