MLB Game Preview - St. Louis at LA Dodgers
Mon Aug 5, 2019 10:10 PM EDT

MIA
2
NYM
6
F
MIL
9
PIT
7
F
NYY
9
BAL
6
F
LAA
4
CIN
7
F
CHW
7
DET
4
F
KC
5
BOS
7
F
TOR
2
TB
0
F
TEX
1
CLE
0
F
MIA
4
NYM
5
F
OAK
5
CHC
6
F
ATL
3
MIN
5
F
PHI
7
ARI
3
F
WSH
4
SF
0
F
STL
0
LAD
8
F
Dodgers turn to RHP Gonsolin against Cardinals
Mon Aug 5, 2019 1:33 AM

Tony Gonsolin's audition for the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason roster starts Monday.

The rookie right-hander, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City last week, will make his second major-league start when the Dodgers play host to the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series.

"I feel like every opportunity is a chance to showcase yourself, root for yourself, to try and earn a postseason roster spot," Gonsolin (0-1, 5.63 ERA) told the Los Angeles Times. "But it's not in my control. I just got to do the best I can every time I go out there."

The 25-year-old will replace National League Cy Young Award contender Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday for precautionary measures with a sore neck.

Ryu pitched six scoreless innings Wednesday at Colorado but awoke the next morning with soreness in the left side of his neck.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ryu, who started for the NL in the All-Star Game last month, is expected to miss only one start.

"It's not a big deal," Roberts said of Ryu's injury.

Gonsolin got a four-inning save Tuesday at Coors Field in his second career appearance before being sent back down to the minors. In his only start, June 26 at Arizona, he went four innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits in an 8-2 loss. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Roberts stressed one key for Gonsolin.

"Strike-throwing," the manager said. "Young pitchers, it's not really a question of the stuff. They're here because they have good stuff. I think the most important thing you see in a successful big-league pitcher is the ability to throw a strike and to get ahead."

Gonsolin was a bit unlucky in his first start as the first three batters reached base on a bunt, infield single and error before he allowed a three-run homer.

Roberts gave Gonsolin a list of things to work on when he returned to Oklahoma City after that start.

"I think just getting ahead and using his breaking ball a little bit more," Roberts said. "The changeup is plus. The fastball command is really good. But to have something against a right-hander, the left-hander, to spin the baseball, just adds another thought."

Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha (6-4, 5.15) is scheduled to return to the rotation against the Dodgers.

Wacha allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings of relief in an 8-2 loss against Houston on July 27 to earn another chance as the Cardinals' No. 5 starter. Daniel Ponce de Leon, who replaced Wacha in the rotation after the All-Star break, was sent down to Triple-A Memphis after not being able to get past the fourth inning in any of his past three starts.

"We feel comfortable that our front four guys have pitched quite well actually over the last several months," Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said. "We've had a little bit of a tough stretch here, and we expect Wacha to step into the fifth spot and pitch like he has in the past."

Wacha is 1-4 with a 6.75 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
St. Louis            
LA Dodgers            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Michael Wacha - KC
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. LA Dodgers
Tony Gonsolin - LAD
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. St. Louis

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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