The Los Angeles Dodgers are embarking on their longest road trip of the season, which will take them to three cities for 10 games.
The team was the last in the majors to play any American League teams, but finished their last home stand by taking two of three from the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins.
Now they hit the road to take on more first place teams, in a trip that will surely test their beleaguered pitching staff.
The bullpen has been stretched very thin by consecutive short outings by Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw. Syndergaard has been dealing with a blister that broke wide open during his previous outing. Then on Wednesday, the Dodgers lost Dustin May to what the team is calling “right flexor pronator strain”.
How long May will be out in unknown at this point. His strain is Grade 1, but his already repaired UCL is still intact. The current plan is for May to receive a PRP shot to try to avoid surgery, and best case scenario is a four to six week return.
Before Thursday’s game, the Dodgers placed May on the IL and recalled Andre Jackson and Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dylan Covey, who was originally on the taxi squad, was designated for assignment. Covey came in to cover for May after May left the game after only one inning, going 4.0 innings and allowing two solo home runs, keeping the Dodgers in the game.
The Dodgers will start their road trip Thursday evening with a four game series in St Louis, facing a Cardinals team that is much improved from when they met earlier this month. Over their last 10 games, after having been swept by the Dodgers, the Red Birds have gone 8-2 facing the Red Sox, Cubs, and Brewers.
Clayton Kershaw was expected to go on the bereavement list following his start Tuesday night, but that may be pushed back until after his Sunday start. Kershaw lost his mother last Saturday morning but has stayed with the team so far.
The pitching matchups for the Cardinals series will be Thursday, Julio Urías and Adam Wainwright. Friday, Tony Gonsolin and Steven Matz. Saturday, Noah Syndergaard and Miles Mikolas. Sunday will be Kershaw and Jack Flaherty.
After the Dodgers are done in St Louis, the Will head to Atlanta to take on the Braves, and then to Tampa Bay to battle the AL East leading Rays.