The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, but they’ll be doing so with some notable lineup shifts.
Max Muncy, still searching for rhythm after his return from the injured list, won’t be in the starting lineup against left-hander Kyle Freeland. Instead, Kike Hernández gets the nod at third base, batting ninth. Muncy has gone hitless in seven at-bats since coming back earlier this week, and manager Dave Roberts said the decision was matchup-based with Freeland on the mound.
Tommy Edman Rejoins Dodgers
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The bigger boost comes in the form of Tommy Edman, who rejoined the team Wednesday after missing more than a month with a sprained ankle. Edman was activated from the injured list and immediately slotted into center field, a move that also gave Roberts more flexibility in arranging the outfield. “A big boost for us… versatility, CF play, 2B play. Our team looks more whole,” Roberts said of Edman’s return.
While Edman will get the start in center, Roberts made it clear he’ll be evaluating where the switch-hitter fits best in the weeks ahead. “I think I want to see him with my own eyes in games,” Roberts explained. “He’ll be taking ground balls at 2B. I can’t say how much I’ll be playing him at CF versus 2B.”
For now, Edman’s addition helps balance the outfield alongside Teoscar Hernández in right and rookie Andy Pages in left. Roberts praised Hernández’s steady play but opted against moving him back to left, where he finished last season. “Since Colorado, I think the outfield play has been very good from Teo. Now to flip him, I didn’t feel comfortable doing that,” Roberts said.
Blake Snell (3-4, 3.19 ERA) will start for the Dodgers, continuing his push toward full form after an uneven, injury-limited season. He’ll square off against Freeland (4-14, 5.10 ERA), who has labored through a difficult campaign for the last-place Rockies.
Here’s how the lineups stack up:
Dodgers Lineup
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Mookie Betts, SS
- Will Smith, C
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Teoscar Hernández, RF
- Tommy Edman, CF
- Miguel Rojas, 2B
- Andy Pages, LF
- Kiké Hernández, 3B
Rockies Lineup
- Tyler Freeman, RF
- Hunter Goodman, DH
- Jordan Beck, LF
- Brenton Doyle, CF
- Ezequiel Tovar, SS
- Kyle Karros, 3B
- Kyle Farmer, 1B
- Braxton Fulford, C
- Orlando Arcia, 2B
First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA.