The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the All-Star break streaking, haven’t slowed any, and are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. That’s part of a 30-4 stretch, which is the Dodgers’ best mark in franchise history for any 34 games.
A win Wednesday would complete a two-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, give the Dodgers an undefeated record on their five-game road trip and a 12th series sweep this season. Kenta Maeda makes his 15th start of the year, which amounts to a $1 million bonus per the terms of his incentive-laden contract.
Maeda earned a win and limited the Kansas City Royals to just one run on four hits in five innings pitched to earn a win in his previous outing. The month of June may have been a turning point for Maeda, as he took a demotion to the bullpen in stride.
In his last six games, the 29-year-old went 3-1 with one save and a 2.81 ERA. Overall this season, Maeda is 7-4 with a 4.38 ERA, 3.95 FIP and 1.19 WHIP in 16 games (14 starts).
Road starts have not been kind to Maeda, however, as he’s 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA in seven starts away from Dodger Stadium.
The rebuilding White Sox send Carlos Rodon to mound as they look to snap a five-game losing streak. Rodon first pitched this season in the Minors, after spending the first three months of the recovering from left biceps bursitis.
The 24-year-old made one start at the High-A level, then joined the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate for three starts. Rodon didn’t exactly fair well in those outings, allowing 20 runs (19 earned) on 21 hits and nine walks in 17.0 innings pitched.
Rodon is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 4.15 FIP and 1.38 WHIP in three starts for the White Sox this season. He’s a lifetime 11-9 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 28 career games (27 starts) at home.
With a left-hander on the mound, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has inserted plenty of right-handed hitters into his lineup. Justin Turner, who now has enough plate appearances to qualify for the Major League lead with a .370 batting average, is the designated hitter.
Kiké Hernandez spells Turner at third base, while Austin Barnes is behind the plate, and Trayce Thompson is in center field.
As part of their rebuilding, Yoan Moncada was recalled and makes his White Sox debut. Moncada starts at second base and bats seventh.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Austin Barnes
3B: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Yasiel Puig
CF: Trayce Thompson
White Sox lineup:
CF: Alex Henson
LF: Melky Cabrera
1B: Jose Abreu
RF: Avisail Garcia
3B: Matt Davidson
2B: Yoan Moncada
SS: Tim Anderson
C: Omar Narvaez
DH: Yolmer Sanchez
