The Los Angeles Dodgers can match their season-best four-game winning streak and take a second consecutive series with a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
After struggling against a lefty in the series opener, the Pirates draw another in Julio Urias. He had some difficulties with command in his last start, but still went five shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants in a no-decision.
Urias has only allowed one run in 10.2 innings pitched across his two outings this season, but has walked four each time out, and only tallied a combined five strikeouts. Urias faces the Pirates for the first time in his young career.
The 20-year-old is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 10 career appearances (eight starts) at Dodger Stadium.
Urias is opposed by Ivan Nova, who enters 3-3 with 2.14 ERA, 2.48 FIP and 0.88 WHIP. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in each of his six starts this season and notched a minimum of four strikeouts in four outings.
Nova is coming off a loss, as he surrendered four runs on 10 hits to the Cincinnati Reds. Though, two starts ago, the workhorse turned in a complete-game shutout against the Miami Marlins in which he allowed just three hits.
In his second start joining the Pirates last season, Nova limited the Dodgers to one run on nine hits in 5.1 innings at Dodger Stadium to earn the win. The key to Nova’s dominance this season has been outstanding command.
Through 42 innings he’s collected 27 strikeouts and issued just one walk. Joc Pederson and Franklin Gutierrez are 2-for-2 against Nova, but only the former is in the lineup. Pederson’s two hits are doubles.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Andrew Toles
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Chris Taylor
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Julio Urias
Pirates lineup:
3B: Josh Harrison
SS: Jordy Mercer
CF: Andrew McCutchen
RF: Gregory Polanco
1B: Jose Osuna
C: Francisco Cervelli
LF: Chris Bostick
2B: Gift Ngoepe
P: Ivan Nova
