The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Colorado Rockies on Monday, July 6, at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. Eric Lauer gets the ball for Los Angeles against Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland in what figures to be a classic Chavez Ravine night game under the lights. The Dodgers roll out a formidable lineup from top to bottom, with Shohei Ohtani leading off at DH and Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Kyle Tucker all slotted in the heart of the order. This is a divisional matchup, and even in July, every game against an NL West opponent carries weight.

Probable Pitchers: Eric Lauer vs. Kyle Freeland

Lauer draws the start for the Dodgers and will look to keep the Rockies offense in check at sea level — a very different environment than what Colorado hitters are accustomed to at Coors Field. Freeland, a Denver native who has built his career around exploiting that home-park dynamic in reverse, will face the challenge of navigating one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball on the road.

Dodgers Starting Lineup

• 1. Shohei Ohtani — DH
• 2. Andy Pages — CF
• 3. Freddie Freeman — 1B
• 4. Mookie Betts — SS
• 5. Kyle Tucker — RF
• 6. Teoscar Hernández — LF
• 7. Max Muncy — 3B
• 8. Miguel Rojas — 2B
• 9. Dalton Rushing — C

Rockies Starting Lineup

• 1. Willi Castro — 2B
• 2. Kyle Karros — 3B
• 3. Hunter Goodman — C
• 4. TJ Rumfield — 1B
• 5. Cole Carrigg — CF
• 6. Tyler Freeman — RF
• 7. Jake McCarthy — LF
• 8. Troy Johnston — DH
• 9. Ezequiel Tovar — SS

Keys to Watch

Ohtani at the Top

Shohei Ohtani leading off gives the Dodgers an immediate threat every single inning. Freeland will need to establish his offspeed stuff early to keep Ohtani from doing damage before the lineup turns over to Freeman and Betts.

The Betts-Tucker-Hernández Stretch

The four-through-six portion of this Dodgers order — Betts at shortstop, Tucker in right, and Teoscar Hernández in left — is where games get put away. If Freeland gets through Ohtani and Freeman, this trio will be waiting. There is no exhaling against this lineup.

Dalton Rushing Behind the Plate

Rushing gets the start at catcher, giving him an opportunity to work with Lauer and manage a full game. How Rushing handles the Rockies' younger hitters — Karros, Carrigg, and Goodman — will be worth monitoring as he continues to develop at the big-league level.

Lauer's Command

Lauer's effectiveness will hinge on whether he can work both sides of the plate and keep Colorado's lineup off-balance. The Rockies do not have an overwhelming lineup on paper, but left-handed pitchers can get hurt by mistake pitches. Lauer will need to be sharp.

Prediction

The Dodgers have the talent advantage at virtually every position in this matchup, and Freeland faces a steep climb navigating the top of the Los Angeles order. Lauer will need to go at least five solid innings to keep the bullpen fresh, but this lineup should provide enough run support to get the job done. Dodgers win, 6-3.

How to watch: SportsNet LA (TV) | Dodgers Radio AM570 | KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)