Los Angeles Dodgers: The beginning of a huge series in Colorado

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter another hugely crucial series for the second straight weekend, this time facing the division-leading Colorado Rockies.

Last weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game series with first place on the line. The Dodgers were able to take the last three games of the series on come from behind wins to take a one-game lead over the Diamondbacks in the NL West.

However, after dropping two of three against the New York Mets while the Colorado Rockies won five in a row, the Dodgers now trail the Rockies by 1.5 games entering a three-game weekend set.

Last time these two sides met the Dodgers came from behind to win game one of the series but suffered the same fate that the Diamondbacks suffered last weekend.

With Kenley Jansen suffering an irregular heartbeat, the Dodgers bullpen sort of collapsed and started a low point of the season in which multiple leads were blown. The Rockies won the final three games of the series.

Jansen will not be traveling to the high elevation Rockie Mountains as a precaution, putting much more pressure on the bullpen and starting rotation to succeed. At the end of the day, Jansen’s personal health is far more important and I, as a fan, would never want him to risk serious health complications for a three-game baseball series.

Some may disagree, but hey, it is what it is.

With Jansen out of commision for these three games, the Los Angeles Dodgers offense is going to have to capitalize on that thin air in Colorado and give the bullpen enough of a cushion to succeed.

Luckily, the Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Alex Wood pitching, in that order. The team should get at least two solid performances out of those three.

Sarah’s pick — Current streak 0: Brian Dozier

My pick for tonight’s opener against the Colorado Rockies is Brian Dozier. Dozier has been a great addition to this team ever since he came over at the deadline. His defense is elite and his hitting is solid and consistent.

It’s almost impossible to talk about Coors Field without talking about the air in Denver, but it really does play a factor. I was watching the Fox show “Pitch” on Thursday and there’s a scene where Oscar, the fictional GM for the Padres, is talking to a rookie who is marveling at how well he played in Denver and Oscar responds with “The air is thin in Colorado, warning track outs at Petco.”

Now, as is the case with many, a home run at Coors may also be a home run at Dodger Stadium. That said, the air plays a role in the approach of a hitter in Denver, and I think that Brian Dozier is ready for it.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig served his two-game suspension for his role in a bench-clearing brawl with the San Francisco Giants and should be set to start after three days off.

Those three days off will be huge for Puig and will give him the energy to start in the lineup for the majority of the rest of the season and return to his clutch ways that usually occur as the season comes down the wire.

Puig has had some success against Colorado starter Jon Gray. Puig has four hits in 13 at-bats against Gray with two doubles and an RBI.

A refreshed Puig is going to take advantage of the elevation and is going to get his first home run off of Gray.