The Los Angeles Dodgers’ first of a nine-game homestand didn’t get off to a rousing start as they were shut out by knuckleballer Steven Wright, and the Boston Red Sox cruised to a 9-0 victory.
As expected, Ross Stripling now draws the task of keeping the high-powered Red Sox in check. Stripling takes the place of Bud Norris, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, retroactive to Aug. 1.
Stripling returns after having been optioned to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. His last three games with the Dodgers have all been out of the bullpen.
In those outings, Stripling has allowed just two runs in 8.2 innings pitched. Overall this season, he’s 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA, 3.53 FIP and 1.29 WHIP in 12 games (eight starts).
Saturday’s outing is the third time this season Stripling faces an American League East opponent. He faces a Red Sox lineup that has David Ortiz in it, with the veteran slugger starting in the field for the first time since last August.
The Dodgers will look to shake off a poor night at the plate against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez. He turned in 6.1 innings, allowed just one run and had six strikeouts in previous start. Rodriguez didn’t earn a decision but the Red Sox came away with a victory.
Rodriguez made five starts in June, allowed nine home runs and 27 runs (26 earned), and was sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket. The 23-year-old worked on incorporating his slider and the results have shown.
In his four starts since being recalled, Rodriguez he has allowed just seven runs in 24 innings pitched. On the season Rodriguez is 2-4 with a 5.91 ERA, 5.60 FIP, and 1.52 WHIP. As expected, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stacked his lineup with multiple right-handed batters.
Scott Van Slyke starts in left field, which moves Howie Kendrick to second base. A.J. Ellis is behind the plate, and Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Reddick and Corey Seager are the only left-handed batters starting.
Reddick has now started one of two games against a left-handed pitcher since being traded to the Dodgers. After sitting him the first time around, Roberts explained that Reddick is not viewed as a platoon player.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Howie Kendrick
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
CF: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Josh Reddick
LF: Scott Van Slyke
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Ross Stripling
Red Sox lineup:
RF: Mookie Betts
2B: Brock Holt
SS: Xander Bogaerts
1B: David Ortiz
CF: Jackie Bradley Jr.
C: Sandy Leon
3B: Travis Shaw
LF: Andrew Benintendi
P: Eduardo Rodriguez
