Behind Roki Sasaki, Dodgers vie for series sweep of Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers were scuffling when they came to Colorado, however they can leave Denver with a sweep of the Rockies with a win on Wednesday.

The Dodgers won the first two contests of the three-game set, recording an 11-5 victory on Monday night and a tense 7-6 decision on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles will send right-hander Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.46 ERA) to the mound against Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland (4-10, 6.27).

Sasaki is vying for his first career decision in his third start against the Rockies. In his previous two outings, he has a 5.06 ERA without a decision in 10 2/3 innings.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts had Sasaki stay in California an extra day before flying to Denver, which he did Tuesday morning. Roberts is trying to juggle a staff that lost closer Edwin Diaz to the injured list for the second time this season.

Diaz, who has an 11.85 ERA and four blown saves in 11 chances, flew home Tuesday to get imaging done on his inflamed neck. That put Tanner Scott in the closer role temporarily.

Righty Emmet Sheehan was recalled from Triple-A to fill Diaz's roster spot.

Diaz isn't the only first-year Dodger struggling. Outfielder Kyle Tucker, who signed a four-year, $240 million free-agent contract in the offseason, is hitting .230 with 11 home runs.

He has struggled on defense of late, dropping fly balls on consecutive games Sunday and Monday, but Roberts still has confidence in his outfielder.

"I think when you go through struggles like this, the worst thing is when a player feels like they're on an island," Roberts said. "And so, for me, we're going to go through this together. And for me, it's just trying to get him to restore his confidence.

"I don't think it's come to the point where I'm not at the point where it's like a three-day, three-game reset situation."

Freeland is slated to face Los Angeles for the 29th time in his career and third this season - both on the road. He is 5-13 with a 5.23 ERA in his previous 28 starts against the Dodgers and is 0-1 with a 14.00 ERA this season.

Freeland won't have Hunter Goodman behind the plate; as the latter was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Saturday, with a left shoulder strain. The Rockies recalled Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he started behind the plate Tuesday night.

Brett Sullivan likely will get a majority of starts with Goodman sidelined. Sullivan has been productive in August, batting .321 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

"I love everything he's doing," Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said of Sullivan. "I just love the opportunity that he's getting this year, to be here for the full season, he's been taking full advantage of it. He's such a huge part of what we do in the clubhouse, and it's remarkable how he's taken the opportunity to play, especially the last two weeks, and turned it into winning baseball."

--Field Level Media