The Los Angeles Dodgers four-game winning streak was snapped Wednesday when they were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-2. After an off-day Thursday, the Dodgers now welcome the other Pennsylvania team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, to town for a three-game series.
Pittsburgh won the first three of a four-game series at PNC Park in June. One of the Dodgers’ losses came in what’s been Clayton Kershaw’s last start to this point. Friday’s series opener is the start of the final leg on the Dodgers’ homestand.
Ross Stripling gets the start as Rich Hill is still not able to return from his blister issues. In 13 games (nine starts) this season, Stripling is 3-3 with a 3.79 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.26 WHIP, while striking out 44 and walking 21.
The 26-year-old rookie is 2-2 with a 4.41 ERA at Dodger Stadium. His last start was one of his best, as he beat the Boston Red Sox by going five shutout innings, striking out four and giving up four hits.
The Pirates counter Stripling with a right-hander of their own in Ivan Nova. The 29-year-old is 8-6 with a 4.83 ERA, 5.10 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 22 games (16 starts) in split time with the New York Yankees and Pirates.
He made his first start with Pittsburgh on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings. Friday marks the first time Nova has faced has the Dodgers in his seven-year career. Corey Seager remains in the lineup after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist Wednesday.
Seager was sent for x-rays, which came back negative. He’s batting .337/.372/.584 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 20 games since the All-Star break.
Right fielder Josh Reddick has struggled a bit since being traded to the Dodgers as he is just 4-for-32 (.125). He went 2-for-5 with a run scored on Wednesday in what was his first multi-hit game since being traded.
Stripling faces a Pirates lineup that’s been hampered by a struggling Andrew McCutchen. The five-time All-Star is batting just .240/.318/.400 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs on the season. The Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Josh Reddick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Howie Kendrick
P: Ross Stripling
Pirates lineup:
2B: Josh Harrison
LF: Starling Marte
CF: Andrew McCutchen
RF: Gregory Polanco
3B: David Freese
SS: Jordy Mercer
1B: Sean Rodriguez
C: Eric Fryer
P: Ivan Nova
