Dodgers-Rockies preview, schedule, start times, pitching duels and TV

After playing against the worst team in the National League, the Dodgers begin their last home game of the regular season with a game against second worst NL team. The Rockies come to Dodger Stadium, the first of two consecutive meetings between two completely opposite teams in the western NL.

Colorado has won just three road series all season, this year in Denver by going 3-21-1. They have been defeated seven times on the road in 2024. Their 23-55 road record is second-worst this year, behind only the woeful White Sox. But that's nothing new for the Rockies, who had a 22-59 road record in 2023.

Last year was the first 100-loss season in franchise history for the Rockies, going 59-103. This year they need to win at least four of their final nine games to avoid another triple-digit losing season. The Dodgers will be their opponent in six of those games, sandwiched between a series against the Cardinals at Coors Field.

Colorado is coming off a successful home series, winning two of three games against the Cubs – something the Dodgers failed to do at home last week – and the Diamondbacks, who are currently in a wild-card position in the National League. Overall, the Rockies have won eight of their last 13 games coming to Los Angeles.

The Dodgers will use Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the final two games against the Rockies, with five days rest on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Yamamoto is scheduled to play in the postseason with at least five days rest.

Friday could be the Dodgers' busiest pitcher of the season: TBA. Only four starting pitchers are active on the 14-pitcher roster after Bobby Miller was optioned on Wednesday. Dave Roberts told reporters in Miami on Thursday that the team would likely call up another pitcher for coverage on Friday. by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Justin Wrobleski was traded Sept. 8 and cannot return until Monday unless he is replacing an injured player. The only other pitcher still on the 40-man roster with some playing time is Ben Casparius, who would be four days off on Friday. He last pitched on Sunday, throwing 68 pitches in three-plus innings for Oklahoma City, partnering with Tony Gonsolin, who is rehabbing in Triple-A.

Gonsolin could well pitch for the Dodgers next weekbut for this weekend against the Rockies, Friday's pitching plans have yet to be determined.