The Dodgers believe they have the personnel to excel against left-handed pitching, both in returning players they expect to improve over last season and in new players brought in. But none of that has materialized just yet, with rookie Kyle Freeland the latest to shut the Dodgers down in the Rockies’ 2-1 win on Friday afternoon at Coors Field.
Freeland, a Denver native, shined in his major league debut, striking out six in six innings, allowing just one run.
Logan Forsythe and Franklin Gutierrez, the Dodgers’ two biggest additions against left-handers this offseason, batted 1-2 against Freeland, and were a combined 0-for-6 with four strikeouts against him.