The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim conclude their annual Freeway Series on Thursday, with the Dodgers looking for a four-game split.
Part of that responsibility falls on the shoulders of rookie right-hander Ross Stripling, who makes the eighth start of his career on an extra day of rest after Mike Bolsinger’s spot start. Stripling enters 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA, 3.38 FIP, and 1.32 WHIP.
He earned his first career win in his previous outing, against the St. Louis Cardinals and former Texas A&M teammate and roommate Michael Wacha. Stripling allowed four runs in five innings during that start.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts thought Stripling began to lose his sharpness and effectiveness as the game wore on, which Stripling acknowledged has been an issue once he begins to go through a lineup for a third time.
The Angels counter with Jhoulys Chacin, who began the season with the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander was 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.39 WHIP in five starts for Atlanta. Chacin had 27 strikeouts, issued eight walks and allowed four home runs over 26.2 innings pitched in those outings.
Chacin allowed two runs on five hits, including one home run, in seven innings of work against the Seattle Mariners in his Angels debut. He didn’t earn a decision, but Anaheim came away with a win. Overall this season, the 28 year old sports a 4.81 ERA, 3.89 FIP and 1.25 WHIP.
Corey Seager enters Thursday’s game riding a nine-game hitting streak. During the stretch, Seager is batting .395 with three doubles, five home runs and seven RBIs. Adrian Gonzalez once again is out of the lineup due to back tightness, but is available to pinch-hit.
As a result, Howie Kendrick makes a second consecutive start at first base. The Dodgers currently are in third place in the National League West, trailing the San Francisco Giants by 2.5 games for first place.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
1B: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Trayce Thompson
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Yasiel Puig
DH: Carl Crawford
Angels lineup:
3B: Yunel Escobar
RF: Kole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
DH: Albert Pujols
1B: C.J. Cron
2B: Johnny Giavotella
LF: Rafael Ortega
C: Carlos Perez
SS: Gregorio Petit
P: Jhoulys Chacin
