And now your host for Morongo Casino Dodgers on Deck. Damn Cays Hi everybody,
and welcome into Morongo Casino Dodgers on Deck. More importantly, Happy Fourth
of July to all of you out there listening and hope you're enjoying this Fourth
of July. I hope you're enjoying this Independence Day with friends and family and
most importantly being safe out there. You're Los Angeles Dodgers, fifty three and
thirty four on this season, first place atop the NL West. After splaying
the first two games of the series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers now
look for the series win over the Snakes tonight with landon Mack now on the
mound, first pitch coming up at six' ten, coming up over the
next hour, we got a lot to get to here on Morongco Casino Dodgers
on Deck, you're gonna hear from Dodger manager Dave Roberts. We're gonna preview
this pitching matchup. David Vassey is gonna go one on one with a guy
who is tormenting the Dodgers not only this series, but his entire career.
That's Chris Walker. You're gonna hear from him coming up in forty five minutes.
We got your Dodgers magical moment. Shortly we'll check you with Kirsten Watson
live on the field at Dodger Stadium, and in just a few minutes we'll
head out to the Galloping Motors broadcast booth and hear from Rick Monday and Steven
Nelson. Well, last night, things started good for the Dodgers, but
didn't end well for the boys in Blue. Gavin Stone got the start.
It was not a polished gym from the right hander. He gave up a
run at the top of the first, three more third in the thirty four
run seven hits, his shortest outing of the season. The Dodgers offense,
meanwhile, came out swinging. In the bottom of the first showy Otani let
things off with the single Will Smith and walked, and that brought up Freddy
Freeman. Freddy swings and unleash is a fly ball deep bright center. That
ball is out of here. Well, he put it on the tee exactly
where he would like to have it. It was a home run hitting contest
and hits that two old bitch. It's a different ballgame. Old run number
thirteen for Freddy free put on the board for the Dodgers. They're a hits
three to one, three run home run for Freddie Freeman. That's the top
tier play of the game sponsored by Arco Quality, top tier gas for less.
Dodgers up three to one. The Dodger Stadium crowd buzzing after that home
run, and they would keep buzzing for the next batter. Tasker Hernandez,
you had more hits last night and the previous six games combined. He swings
again. Tao ts off this deep to left by the scoreboard, had another
to the scoreboard. Back two back home runs for Freeman, it Hernandos and
now it's four to one. Nineteenth home run of the season for Tay Oscar
RBI fifty nine. That's most among National League outfielders this season. Back to
back home runs from Freddie Freeman and Tay Oscar the sixth time the Dodgers have
done that this year. Freddy Freeman has been involved in all six scenarios.
By the way, Dodgers up four to one, but that lead did not
last long time. It backs with three runs of the third to tie it
up. Christian Walker Homeward in the fourth to give the Snakes a five to
four lead. Arizona would score running the fifth, two more in the sixth,
one in the eighth, leading nine to four, and the ninth when
Christian Walker hit a three run home run. Walker now his seven home runs
in eight games against the Dodgers this season. His seventeen career home runs at
Dodgers Stadium since twenty eighteen ranked first amongst opposing players. Diamondbacks go on and
beat the Dodgers last night, twelve to four. The Dodgers offense scored those
four runs in the first They had four hits in that inning, but then
just two hits combine the rest of the game. A rough night for the
Dodgers' offense. Good news, new day, new game on the fourth of
July, the rubber game of this three game series. Hoping for some fireworks,
daring and after the game, land and knack on the mound. First
bitch is six' ten and with more we head out to the Gaping Motors
broadcast booth and we say hello and happy fourth. So Rick Monday and Steven
Nelson, guys, thank you so much. Tim Happy fourth of July to
you and yours into everybody listening Rick Monday. The Dodgers will play on this
fourth of July. It's a Thursday. It's weird. It fuel it just
feels different having a Fourth of July on Thursday. I don't know if the
calendar backs it up going back a few years. But the point is the
Dodgers are playing baseball today, series on the line against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As we approached the end of the first half, I think one of the
things that throws you off is the fact that we had Monday off. Yeah,
you're not used to having the off days, but that was the story,
and especially on it's an off day at home. Dodgers, they had
an off night last night, and they need to get it back into gear.
I mean, losing it twelve to four. In fact, you begin
to now look at the last three games, and they're against teams that are
not really in the uprashl on San Francisco Giants. If you look at the
last game of that series and the first two games of this series, Dodgers,
first of all had been out hit forty two hits to twenty six.
They've also been outscored in the last three games twenty seven runs to just fourteen.
That has to change, and change in a hurry. Yeah, because
the pitching staff just seems gassed right now. There hasn't been much production from
the starting pitching outside or since rather Gavin Stone's complete game in Chicago, and
all the bullpen seems pretty taxed. And so it's just sort of like this
really dull stretch from this team and they got to snap out of it.
The Padres have already beaten the Rangers today, so they're leaving. The division
is down to seven pending the result of tonight's game, and again, the
Milwaukee Brewers are just a game back in the lost column, behind the Dodgers
for the second. Yeah, and everybody else that might be listening to us
at the ball club saying, what are you guys doing? You're crying over
a spilled note, because the Dodgers are still won ten of the last fifteen,
but they have higher expectations, and well, it's a good point.
The bullpen has been taxed with the Dodgers. And then you look at the
Arizona Diamondbacks, who are two games below five hundred, but the last ten
games that they had played, their starting pitching has gone six innings only three
times, and in that time the starters have an ERA of over seven and
a half, so their bullpen has been taxed, although you would not have
known it last night. Well, the good thing for the Dodgers playing on
the fourth of July the last nine Independence Day games, the Dodgers have an
eight and one record. Hopefully they can keep going. It's easier said than
done. They're facing one of the best pitchers in baseball and certainly the ace
of the Diamondback staff that is Zach Gallan. We'll talk more about him and
Land the next turn when we come back. All right, so count you
down to first pitch. Dodger fans, get your game to a meal long
at Shaky's Pizza Parlor or are your Shaky's Pizza shake you mojos right now at
Shaky's dot com. Coming up here on Dodgers on dec You here from the
Dodger manager Dave Roberts. We will check in with David Vassa throughout the show.
Dav goes one all well with Christian Walker. We'll break down this pitching
matchup. But up next to your o Tani rewind and we'll head down to
the field and visit with Kirson Watson. Lead you up to Dodgers and Diamondbacks
on this fourth of July. First pitch is six' ten. Thanks for
being with us. I'm Tim Kays's Los Angeles Dodgers Audio Network. It is
Laurento Casino, Dodgers on Dodgers on Deck. Y'all on the official home of
La Dodgers Baseball, Dodgers and Timonbacks. Happy fourth of July Dodger Fans.
Final game of this three game series landed knack on the mount. First bitch
coming up at six ten. This is the Otani rewinde. One ball,
one strike. The pitch to Otani is grounded through the right side in the
right center field, a lead off base hit for show Hay his fourth hit
of the series. Shoey Otani let off the Dodgers in the bottom of the
first with a hit. He would score on the Freddie Freeman three run home
run, but just the only hit last night for show Hey now hitting three
to nineteen on this season. This Otani rewind brought to by Eto ns Oocha,
Japan's number one green team. The Tea that showe Hey Otani loves and
drinks available your local diso stores Amazon at etoen dot com. That's it O
e N dot com. This is Kirston's Corner with Kirston Watson and Kirston now
joined us on those fourth of July live from the field the Dodgers Stadium before
the final game of this three game series Dodgers and the Diamondbacks and some good
news as far as the Dodgers injury front heres and Clayton Kershaw through baseball.
See Danny through a bullpen today. Guy, that's about thirty pitches. He
said, he used his full pitch mix and so this is a really good
step for him. He's coming off and being shut down for a week.
Dave Roberts told us that he actually got a shot in his shoulder just to
help with that residual sort it so just kind of to alleviate that. So
he said he feels a lot better. He doesn't know per se if this
storm is he's going to have to continue to deal with. He's hopeful and
everyone's doctimistic, including doctor Elatroc, that he's not going to continue to do
be dealing with it. But today it was just a really good step for
play. And he said the next thing for him, will be taking part
in a sin game facing some hitters, said he wasn't sure just yet just
to how many innings he would be throwing in that, and then hopefully he'll
get back to get back on track for his rehab assignment. So Dave and
He's still going to need two or three of them. But the good news
is that he's not necessarily starting from scratch with his rehab assignment. He's still
pretty built up and moving in the right direction, so it's just a matter
of not getting him ready for a return. Looking at the Dodgers right now,
back on the field tonight's you got Land and Nak, who hopefully can
give them some length because look at this bullpen, Kirsten, a lot of
guys getting a lot of use. Yeah, exactly. So as you mentioned,
I mean with Land and Nat we've primarily been seeing him take down like
side innings. So the hope is that he can maybe get a little bit
deeper. I know Dave always tells him the goal is just to go for
as long as you can, throw as hard as you can, for as
long as you can. But as you mentioned, the bullpen usage has been
pretty high, and yesterday we saw them take down majority of the innings,
and so with those guys, Dave does feel that, you know, as
much as we've seen a lot of arms come out, he feels like things
are in a good spot. Even yesterday, I got to stay away from,
you know, most of that super high leverage arm. They feel good
about willing for the win today and he has available to help support Land and
Knact. But also they're looking ahead to Sunday against the Brewers, in which
that is cent of looked at as TVD and they said that could be a
bullkon game. So the hope is to really stay away from Ryan Yarborough,
who's going to be down no matter what today, but stay away from him
over the next couple of days. But he can be available in that Sunday
game against the Brewers. It's the fourth of July. That means fireworks?
Are you a fireworks galak here soon? I really am. However, like
the thing in la Is, they're just going off everywhere and that kind of
scares me sometimes, But I really am. But I'd love fireworks. I
grew up like in Orlando, so Doozey was right there. So every Fourth
of July we would always watch the Disney fireworks and so yeah, no,
I love them and I can't wait. I'm hoping that we'll be to see
some of it tonight here Dodgers Dated, which would be a special little for
holiday performance for the fourth of July. No doubt, fireworks during the game
and afterwards should be good for the Dodgers. Appreciated, Garrison, Dodger fans
and Hans. You're listening experience by downloading the iHeartRadio app and listening in HD.
It's all powered by LA Care Health Plan serving all Angelinos la Care dot
Org. Coming up here on Dodgers on Deck, we'll dive deeper to this
pitching matchup. David Massego is one on one with Christian Walker, but I'm
neck. We'll get you an injury report and we'll hear from the manager himself,
Dave Roberts. It's the Dodgers and Diamondbacks on this fourth of July.
I'm Tim katesis Los Angeles Dodgers Audio Network. This is Morongo Cassino Dodgers on
your home for LA Dodgers Baseball. Marogo Casino Dodgers on Deck continues as we
lead you up to first pitch. Dodgers and Diamondbacks on this fourth of July
Marongo Casino Resort and Spy Grand Slam. Four good times landing Nack Zach gallon
the pitching matchup, first pitch coming up at six ten. This it's the
LA Dodgers Injury Report, presented by UCLA Healthy Official medical Partner the Los Angeles
Dodgers. Mookie Bets on the IEL at the fracture left hand. Yoshinobu Yabamoto
on the IEL at the strained rotator cuff, Walker Buehler on the eel with
this sore hip. Michael Grove on the I L at the sowre lat Max
Munsey working his way back. Looks like post All Star break when he'll return.
David vess A a lot more on that. Clayton Kershaw through today.
That is good news. Joe Kelly, he had a rehab assignment a couple
of days ago in Rancho Kucamonga. Dodgers looking like they're slowly but surely starting
to get healthy. All right, Let's head back out to Dodger Stadium and
check out with the Dodger Skipper. Anything else? Questions for Dave? Dave?
Can you just describe Dave? Can you talk about the pressure in the
dugouts with Dave Roberts and with with Kershaw. How satisfied and how are you
can you be that this was just a one off. He's not going to
experience soreness every time he tries to you ramp up that I'm holding out hope.
But I do think that, you know, doctor Elatross did say that
there's going to be some things that he's gonna have to go through, some
soreness. He got the shot, took the week off, and from that
point on he's had no soreness. The strength is there, his body is
moving well. So I think that for us, yeah, there can always
be something that pops up. But right now, where we're at today really
encouraging. Have you been able to lay eyes on Len see if he's swinging
or what the swings look like. I haven't laid eyes on him. I've
heard it's been slow. To be honest, you know it's slow. It's
been slow. There's still some soreness in the oblique. He has been swinging
a little bit recently. I still think it's a slow, slow process.
So outside of giving a hard timeline, which I don't think anyone knows it's
gonna be. Certainly, you know, well after the all start break in
my opinion expressed how long this is condragged on. I am very surprised.
I think we all are. You know, there was a quick thought of
you know, not even putting on the il and so now you look at
north of sixty days, it's gonna be. It's I think it's a surprise
all of us. But they are very tricky. Yeah, all right,
there's Dave Roberts talking about Clayton Kershaw who threw off a mount today, and
certainly talking about Maxi Munsey in the lingering oblique injury. Now looking at well
passed the All Star break for his return, Dave Roberts down the dugout brought
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Learn more at Service Titan dot com. I'll wait continue here on Dodgers on
Deck. We'll check in with David Bassay lead you up to first pitch on
this fourth of July. Dodgers and Diamondbacks. I'm Tim Katsi's Los Angeles Dodgers
Audio Network. This is Marongo Casino, Dodgers on Deck on your home for
the blue all season of Dodgers and Diamondbacks on those fourth of July, final
game of this three game series. Homestead will continue tomorrow night when the Milwaukee
Brewers come to town. Landing nack on the mountain tonight, first pitch coming
up at sixten, joining Tim kats on Dodgers on Deck. I accept everybody
for who they are. This is Dodger insider David Bass. All right,
David Big News Today Clayton Kershaw talking about his bullpen session. How did it
go? Thirty ish pitches in his word, and he said he threw his
full compliment of pitch mix bastball, curveball, slider, and also mixed in
a couple of changeups. And we had a chance to catch up with Clayton
after the bullpen session was done. You know, it doesn't really matter how
good you do out there. It all matters. It's how you do when
the come on. So I really just wanted to check a box today without
giving away too much during this whole period of time, is there when we
do see you pitch. Is there new pitches that we may see that you
unveiled during this period of time. Have you had a chance to mess around
with new things? I mean, I through some change ups in that lot
I've started in Rancho that uh, I mean, they're pretty decent results.
So yeah, at the end of the day, I really don't know,
you know, I think when you get out there, stuff changes, obviously,
so you kind of rely on what you've been good at in the past.
But it'd be nice to be able to throw a change up every once
in a while. But I really don't know. We'll see, Okay,
have any answers for Christian Walker that you could share. I've got some thoughts.
Yeah, not for for for our guys, not for you though.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess the scout and report will remain quiet. But
hopefully whatever he has, the Dodgers certainly need an answer against Christian Walker tonight.
Tim, Yeah, we'll hear from Christian Walker. You go one along
with him and coming up about fifteen minutes or so. DV. Hey,
your southern California Ford dealers were great offers on a Ford Broncos Sport or any
Ford model during Ford's fourth of July sale of thon. All Right, David,
Dodgers in a tight race. Look at the standings and they're pretty much
in front of everybody in the division. Who are they in a tight race
with? Well, since we talked about October, Tim is in seeding a
big deal these days. If you are one of the first two seeds in
either league, you get a first round by and don't have to play that
wildcard best of three. Well, right now, the Dodgers are just a
game ahead of the NL Central leading Brewers for that second seed in the National
League postseason picture, and the Brewers come to town tomorrow for a three game
series. So it would behoove the Dodgers to get some separation between them and
Milwaukee between now and the end of the year. David. At the end
of the month, it's the trade deadline, guy, get into some trade
talk. Mind numbing trade talk. What are you hearing, Well, I'm
starting to hear. Randy a Rosa. Raina's name, the Tampa Bay outfielder
who had a awful first two months of the season, but in the month
of June came to life with an ops of eight ninety three. He hit
two ninety one with three home runs. The Dodgers, ideally, Tim would
love to acquire an outfielder that could play every day so they could platoon Andy
Pajez and Jason Hayward. So Randy a Rosa, Raina's name is a name
that I'm starting to hear more and more, and we'll see whether or not
that comes to fruition. David Austin Barnes gets to start tonight. No,
Will Smith is just a case of six games in six days to get him
off his feet or what. Yeah, it feels that way right. The
Dodgers obviously want to do well against the Brewers, so they're saving Will for
those three games. Dave Roberts said he'll start all three games going into it
as of now now. But you know, Will Smith is very valuable and
placed the most demanding position on the field, as you know, so,
uh, they're trying to keep him healthy. But obviously, especially without Mookie
Betts and Max Munsey, their lineup is a lot thinner without him in it.
Yeah, no doubt. David great stuff will check back in with you
in just a little bit coming up here on Wrongo Casino Dodgers on Deck.
We'll hear from Christian Walker. You hear David ask Clayton Gershaw about him.
We're gonna hear from the Diabacks first baseman and a guy who's had his way
with the Dodger pitching this season and this series at Dodgers Stadium. Also dive
deeper to this pitching matchup. But up next your Dodgers magical moment on the
fourth of July. We're gonna get very patriotic Dodgers Diabacks. Thanks for being
with us. I'm Tim Katson. This is Los Angeles Dodgers Audio Network.
As we were saying, this is Marongo Casino Dodgers on deck on the official
home of La Dodgers Baseball. Dodgers and Diamondbacks wrapping up this three games series,
Dodgers won the opener walk off fashion. Diamondbacks blew out the Dodgers last
night's the rubber game tonight, landing neck Zach gallon the pitching matchup. Dodgers
then will play host of the Milwaukee Brewers for a three game series beginning Tomorrow
night out at the Ravine. Dodgers first place atop the NLS, looking to
keep pace with the Padres, Giants, and Dia backs behind them. First
pitch tonight on the fourth of July, coming up at six ten. Here
who wants the hot It's time for the Hawfey Magical Moment Ditch Magical presented by
Hawfy Hot Tails. Well on this fourth of July, no better time to
go back to April twenty fifth, nineteen seventy six, Dodgers playing host of
the Chicago Cubs, when two fans decided to run on the field and on
Rick Monday the greatest save of his career. Um, all right, I'm
not sure what he's doing out there. It looks like he's gonna burn a
flag, and Rick Monday runs and takes it away from him. As on
Monday, I think a guy was gonna step fire of the American flag.
Can you imagine that? Well, they've got to lose him in a hari.
Then Monday, when he realized what he was gonna do, race over
and took the flag away from him. The great Van Scully on the call
back in nineteen seventy six. Then comes outfielder Rick Monday saves the American flag
from two people who rent on the field trying to burn it in left field
at Dodger Stadium. Rick Monday comes in, swoops in and pulls the American
flag away before they can do any damage. Great save Rick Monday. April
twenty fifth, nineteen seventy six. This Haffey Magical moment brought to you by
Hoffy hot Dogs, a So Cal treasure for over one hundred years. Visit
hoffeybrand dot com to find out where you can purchase Cray Malicious Haffey hot Dogs.
When we continue here on Dodgers on Deck, we'll check in with the
Rick Monday to lead jump to first pitch on this fourth of July Dodgers and
Diamondbacks. I'm Tim Katson. This is Los Angeles Dodgers Audio Network. This
is Lorongo Casino, Dodgers on Dodgers on Deck. Y'all on the official home
of La Dodgers Baseball. It's a Dodgers and Diamondbacks on this fourth and July
from Dodgers Stadium Land and Knack Zach Gallum. The pitching matchup will dive deeper
into those numbers coming up in just a little bit. First pitches six ten
Dodgers Fans start your future to California Community College. Financial aids available to help
with the tuition, the books, and sometimes even the rent. It's time
to take that next big step. Classes can fill up quickly, so en
roll today. I can go to college dot com. Still to come,
We'll get you those keys to the game. But burst and now joined by
David Basseying, here's La Dodgers broadcaster and World Series champion Dodger Rick Monday.
Rick, Happy fourth of July. Great to be at the ballpark with you.
I you know, my family's at the swimming pool. But I said
I want to be at Dodgers Stadium with Rick Monday, And they kept telling
you to go to the deep end, right. Yeah, well that's true.
That's all right. And for all of those that are listening, please
make it a safe one. There's too many things that happen up with the
July. And watch out for an accidents, and watch out for the kids.
Take care of one another. Right now, it feels like Independence Day
and baseball go together for as long as I've been alive. Rick, Yeah
it is. Let me ask you a question now, now we're only into
I mean, we're in the game eighty eight, right, is it too
soon to talk about wildcard standings? Not at all. I say that because
this morning, looking at some numbers, if we include the teams, it
expanded into three teams for the wildcard selection now with the new rules. Correct.
So if we include those three teams, which right now are the Atlanta
Braves, the San Diego and Andres, and the Saint Louis Cardinals, those
are the top three. But if we go to teams that are four and
a half games out of and that's within reach, there's nine teams in the
National League, and there are six teams in the American League right now within
four and a half games of one of those three wildcard spots. I mean,
this is unbelievable. Fifteen teams in Major League Baseball, half of Major
League Baseball right now within four and a half games of making one of those
three wildcard spots. And in the National League, rick a lot of those
teams still in the hunts are not even at five hundred, including the Arizona
dinadback exactly. I mean Arizona, they're two and a half out of the
wildcard right now with a record of forty two and forty four. The New
York Mets prizingly enough, I mean you start to look and said, well,
everybody was hysterical Oak. The Mets can't do this. They're a game
in a half out at a five hundred pace. They're at forty two and
forty two thanks to America's DH JD Martinez, who has carried the Mets to
that position. Yeah. Yeah, but he can only bat once. Although
it seems as if in this series, in just about every series, it
seems like Christian Walker is batting at least once every inning for the Arisola Diamondbacks.
When they faced the Dodgers, Hey, well, it's interesting you brought
up Christian Walker's name. Rick the Dodger Killer himself is going to join us
in a few minutes. I didn't know that, Yes, exactly. Yeah.
I had a chance to catch up pretty J Walker. I mentioned last
night deceiven and he looked at me like a you know, yeah, that
look. I said, he's one of those guys, mean Walker. When
he comes to home plate, you should just tell him what's coming to home
plate. Hey, Christian, we're gonna throw your breaking ball. Here's why.
First of all, if you came to home plate and I'm the catcher,
David Besseying, and you step into the box and said, hey,
we're going to throw your slider right here. Would you believe me? No,
okay, that's my point. Now we throw you a slider right now.
I say to you, Hey, David, we're going to throw you
fastball. Would you believe me? What if we throw you fastball? Now
you're going wait a minute, he's going to lie to me at some particular
time, I would not believe you. You would not believe me if you
go to home plate and it's happened in the past. Rick, we talked
about this last night on the show. Jose Motor brought this up, and
we forget about it. But when a hitter is doing what Christian Walker is
doing against you, why not do the Don Drysdale and knock him down or
at least move his feet a little bit. Well, you can move his
feet by just coming inside. A couple of pitches were inside and he didn't
like it. If you think of one pitch last night, he kind of
glared back at the mount. I'm not talking about hitting people because baseball has
really moved the rules to where they're not going to put up with it.
Because it is imperative that you keep players on the field. They don't want
knockdown pitches can't do that anymore, and that's a good thing. You don't
want to hurt players and keep them out for a considerable period of time.
So that's the reason for the ruling that takes place, and they're right on
top of it, and the fines and suspensions are rather lengthy. That being
said, there's nothing wrong with moving somebody's feed at home plate, moving inside.
And again, we saw some pitches last night inside. Oh he hit
one out of the ballpark inside, but it was not really a good pitch
at that particular account. It was a hitters count where you can expand the
strike stone if you want. Well, Rick brushes me back every day right
here, you know, thanks a lot, Rick. At least I'm not
throwing at your hit. I appreciate it. Not today, I know hunting
today. By Happy fourth of July, Hapy, fourth of July, everybody,
we'll send it back to you in the studio. Tim all right,
thank you, DV, thank you. Mowe. Dodgers Baseball is brought to
you by Speedy Cash, official sponsor of every LA Weekend. Find out more
Speedycash dot com or stop in an LA area Speedy Cash store. Still to
come here on Dodgers on deck. We'll get you a preview of this pitching
matchup. Rick'll be back with Stephen Nelson gets to the keys of the game.
But up next we go high and tight with the Dodger Killer himself,
Christian Walker Diamondbacks first base. Lead you up to Dodgers and Diamondbacks on this
fourth of July. First pitch is six ten. I'm sim Kates's Los Angeles
Dodgers audio note. This is Morongo Casino Dodgers Hunter on your home for LA
Dodgers Baseball. It's the Dodgers and Diamondbacks on this fourth of July, landing
Nack Zach gallon the pitching matchup in this series finale. First pitch coming up
at six ten. Dodgers Baseball is presented by Children's Hospital LA. When you
need the very best care for your child, there's only one place to go,
Children's Hospital Los Angeles because they're ranked number one in California for pediatric care.
Find the right doctor at CHLA dot org. And now what will likely
be Vassy fielding insults from a Dodger player. It's an engaged of endearment.
This is high and tucked. The Dodgers and Diamondbacks wrapping up this three game
series on the fourth of July, and I'm with a man that I have
now labeled a Dodger killer public enemy number one here in Los Angeles because he
has done amazing things, not against the Dodgers only, but against major League
Baseball. He has twenty home runs, tied with the best first basemen,
among the most hit this year, and that's the one and only Christian Walker.
Christian, thanks a lot for the time. Appreciate it. Yeah,
thanks for having me. I feel like I was obligated to come over here
just so Dodger fans can hear what you sound like, what your personality is
like. So I guess this is your personal introduction after your bat has done
all the talking. No, it's an honor. There's a ton of history
in the stadium, in this organization, so you know, to be even
on anybody's radar of you know, having success against the team or the organization,
it's it's humbling for sure. After last year the Diamondback going to the
World Series sweeping the Dodgers in the first round, is there a different era
of confidence among this group of players. Yeah, it's no secret. You
know how good this Dodgers team is year in and year out, and especially
last year. So I know, I know personally that that gave us and
and me a ton of confidence and a ton of momentum moving forward. That
was that was something that was circled on our on our postseason to do list,
and you know, to be proud of that that that series win and
and you know, it felt like that was that was a big stepping stone
for us and in our success in the postseason. I know there's an extra
wild card berth now, and it seems like teams like the Dodgers, the
Phillies they talk about October. But for other teams and for them as well,
doesn't there need to be a sense of urgency and not try to diminish
the regular season. Yeah, yeah, I think, you know, I
think it's it's all part of the preparation. You know. Some some teams
have the luxury they they know they're going to be able to put up a
certain amount of wins every year. They have the luxury to you know,
set their sights on the postseas and and you know, it doesn't seem to
affect how they go about their business during the regular season. I think other
teams that are, you know, a little unfamiliar with the postseason and how
hard it is to get in. Uh, you know, their their focus
is day to day and and trying to win every game. I know the
pitching has been hurt for you guys so far the first half of the season.
Do you feel like you're in the same position or a better position to
make a run in the second half this year if you get guys like Eduardo
Rodriguez and Merril Kelly back. Yeah, any anytime you get your you know,
your your your top guys back, that's that's huge. But you know
that being said, it's there's still a lot of baseball left. You know,
there's there's gonna be there's gonna be more injuries, right There's gonna be
guys that come back from the i L. It's just it's part of the
season. It's the nature of it. You know, there's there's a lot
of good talent in this in this clubhouse right now to win games. And
yeah, it's just a matter of you know, trusting each other and having
each other's backs and and just leaving it on the field. That's the voice
of Christian Walker ahead a first pitch between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. All right,
Christian, we all know how well you done here at Dodgers Stadium.
Is it something about the way you see the ball here? Is it the
heightened atmosphere here at Dodger Stadium? Can you put your finger on why you've
excelled? No, I mean a little bit of both, you know,
all of the above. It's you know, it's definitely a you know,
there's a there's a play to your competition type type expectation when you come here.
We know, you know that the Dodgers are going to give us some
some good games. And yeah, it's you know, I wish there was
you know, a rhyme or reason to it. It's just I think it's
just one of those funny baseball stats. When you go inside that batter's box
last night, obviously you're locked in. Is there a feel, like you
can use an analogy sort of like Klay Thompson or Steph Curry when they're making
threes from half court? Is there that same feel in the batter's box for
a hitter? I know, I know, you know. One major difference
that comes to mind is is just the size of the park, not that
this is like a small park by any means. But playing at Chase,
you know, I hit a ball last week that was a four hundred and
twenty foot double, So like right, like, sometimes it's it's a little
daunting feeling like you have to hit the ball so hard and so far to
get rewarded there at Chase sometimes, and you know, there's there's other pros
that come with it. There's a lot of doubles, there's a lot of
triples to be had in that big outfield. But you know, I would
say maybe maybe it takes a little bit of effort level out where, you
know, maybe on that like eighty ninety percent effort level and it's maybe a
little bit more efficient and just trusting that you know, if I put a
good swing on it and put the ball in the barrel, I can be
rewarded for it. So you have twenty home runs this year? Are you
telling us your short change playing in what hitters consider a hitters ballpark? No,
you're talking about Chase. Yeah, Yeah, that's not a hitter's ballpark
anymore. I think I think five or six years ago it definitely was.
But I think since you know, the humidors have been added, and it
seems like the league is trying to regulate how the ball, how the ball
flies around the league. You know, there's still some parks that it's it's
still a good place to hit, right, Like Cincinnati comes to mind,
Colorado comes to mind, stuff like that. But yeah, for whatever reason,
you know, I just enjoy I enjoy competing at Dodger Stadium. I've
always felt, no matter who it is or what team you're playing for,
when you go to a visiting ballpark and you get the booze, I feel
like that's a sign of respect. Do you feel like maybe you could feed
off of that because I hate to tell you, Christian, I feel like
you're a household name now in Los Angeles. Yeah. Yeah, any anytime
the fans, you know, acknowledge you good or bad, I think there's
something positive to be taken from there, for sure. But yeah, like
I said, man, it's just one of those things. It's uh,
you know, I wish I wish I had like a good juicy nugget for
you. Why it's here, But yeah, I think it's just one of
those one of those funny baseball stats. That's awesome. Well, great meeting
you and thank you for the time. I really appreciate it. Yeah,
thank you. You're okay with me ending this by calling you Dodger killer?
Still right? Hey, I'm not saying it at a lot of games have
you played? You know? There he is Dodger killer Christian Walker on the
fourth of July. We'll send it back to you in the studio. Tim,
all right, thank you, David. Christian Walker is certainly a Dodger
killer. He's a on fire in this series so far against the Blue.
Dodgers Baseball is brought to by Shaky's Pizza Parlor, official pizza partner of the
Dodgers audio broadcast. When it's game night, it's group night at shakys dot
Com. Leading up to first pitch on this fourth of July, it's the
Dodgers and Diamondbacks up next. We'll dive deeper into this pitching matchup, landing
knack on the mound for the Dodgers. I'm Tim Katson. This is Los
Angeles Dodgers Audio Network. This is Marongo Casino, Dodgers on deck wa on
your home for the Blue All season Low. It's the Dodgers in Diamondbacks on
this fourth of July. First pitch from Dodgers Stadium is coming up at six
ten, and now before the Dodgers hit the dining we look at the pitching
matchup resented by your Southern California Toyota Dealers. Turn your trail dominating off roading
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Dealer today, they make it easy. Zach Gallon on the mound for Arizona,
six and four with a two to eighty three EERRA. The twenty eight
year old right hander already now in his sixth season in the big leagues,
making his thirteen start this year. He missed a month on the il with
a hamstring injury. This is his second start since coming back last time out
six shutout innings, just one hit, seven punchouts in a win over the
Oakland A's, and his career against the Dodgers. They've seen him a lot.
Eleven career starts, he is one in four with a three forty eight
RORA a two to oh five opponent's batting average, but he's also got seventy
five strikeouts. This is his sixth career start at Dodgers Stadium on the mound
for the Dodgers on this fourth of July. Landon Nack one and one with
a two to oh eight ERA. The twenty six year old right hander recalled
a couple of weeks ago. Making his seventh start of this season in Triple
A Oklahoma City, landon Ack was three and two with a three fifty four
ERA in ten games ninth starts with fifty two strikeouts. This is his third
start in a row since being called up from oh Okay see last time out.
Four and two, third innings, one run, five hits, seven
strikeouts and a no decision against the San Francisco Giants. Dodgers Diamondbacks on this
fourth of July were fifteen minutes away from first pitch. Keys to the game
with Steven and Rick Our Next, I'm Tim Katson. This is Los Angeles
Dodgers Audio Network. As we were saying, this is Marongo Casino Dodgers on
deck on the official home of La Dodgers Baseball. It's the Dodgers and Diamondbacks
on this fourth of July. Landing Nack Zach Gallon the pitching matchup. First
pitch coming up at six' ten. Dodgers fans, enhance your listening experience
to Dodger games by downloading the iHeartRadio app and listening in HD. Take it
with you on the go. Your mobile device is crystal clear and a great
way to listen to Dodgers Baseball. All powered by LA Care Health Plans serving
all Angelino's Lacaret or all Right. Before first pitch, we head back out
to the two guys on the call tonight, Rick Monday, Steven Nelson,
Thanks DC. Back here with Moe. We're getting closer to first pitch the
series finale for the Dodgers against the Diamondbacks. It'll be Land and Knack for
the Dodgers and Zach Gallan for the Diamondbacks, who the Dodgers have not seen
the Rity since last year's NLDS when he picked up his first ever win at
Dodgers Stadium. He has not won a game here in the regular season,
though He's going four with the four to two nine ERA here at Dodgers Stadium
in six career starts here. But make no mistake, at the last handful
of years, there have been a few pitchers in baseball, few pitchers in
the National League definitely who are better than him. Yeah, then you start
to look at the last three years, er fourteenth best in Major League Baseball,
just a fraction above three in that period of time. Dodgers know him
well, they've seen him eleven different starts that they've had during the regular season.
But one thing that they do know they have to make sure that Gallan
does not fool them with off speed and with breaking stuff. I say that
because a he gets the bowl down good breaking pitches, No question about it.
That curb bol throws at almost thirty percent of the time, and he
gets a high percentage of swings and misses at breaking balls that are not even
in the strike zone and something that we were talking about earlier. Mo Is.
Again, the series is on the line, but the Dodgers are thinking
about the big picture, right, not just the one hundred and sixty two
game marathon that is the regular season, but getting guys to the postseason in
their best form. And so with that comes you're monitoring playing time. And
so the two guys who have probably had the most success against Gallen are not
in the starting lineup. That's Will Smith, who's six for nineteen against Gallen,
that's a three to sixteen average, and Miguel Rojas who's three for six
small sampracized, but a five hundred batting average, and just trying to make
sure you protect players and for landon neck. You know, seven starts now,
this is the seventh that he's made. His last outing that was bridy
in San Francisco, allowed just one run, went four and two thirds.
They kind of protected him. He gave up a home run, had a
career high seven strikee counts in that ballgame. Then he faced these Arizona Diamondbacks
back on the thirtieth of April. He lowed just one run on five innings
of work, had a no decision. I was eventually a ten inning,
four to three Dodger loss. He did give up a home run and guess
it was hits mine. Yeah that guy, Yeah, Christian Walker and the
Dodgers have to figure out a way to kind of cool off his bat and
do it in a hurry. No, his last couple starts. Land and
Nak has pitched very well. He's pitched well enough to get wins, but
that just hasn't happened. He's left in the line or with the team ahead,
but the team was not able to hold on in those games to get
him his second major league win. The Dodgers would love to get him a
win tonight, because he's deserved that of late, and because they want to
win the series they need to take Tonight's a serious fal he gets the Diamondbacks
to do so. First pitch rapidly approaching. Tim. Let's get it back
to you, all right, Thank you, Nelly. First pitched coming up
on this fourth of July fireworks show. Hopefully during the game and afterwards,
no doubt, first pitch is coming up. Don't forget after the game,
David Messe's got you cover with all the highlights, postgame reaction, and of
course Dodger talk as well. Enjoy the game, Happy for the July I'm
Tim Kates. This has been Morongo Casino Dodgers on Deck on the Los Angeles
Dodgers Audio Network.