The Los Angeles Dodgers look to start a new winning streak in the second of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. A win would also mean the Dodgers avoid losing at least two games in a row for the first time all season.
One night after Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer dueled, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Stephen Strasburg serve as the encore. Ryu makes his fourth start of the season and looks to build off a successful outing against the San Diego Padres.
The left-hander allowed just two runs on three hits over six innings with a season-high nine strikeouts. Ryu enters play with a 2-0 record, having posted a 2.87 ERA, 2.88 FIP and 0.96 WHIP over 15.2 innings with 19 strikeouts to six walks.
He owns a 3.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 11.2 career against the Nationals (two starts) with nine punch outs compared to two free passes.
Strasburg has also thrived in the early part of his 2018 campaign. The 29-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA, 3.93 FIP and 0.99 WHIP across 26.1 innings with 26 strikeouts to just six walks.
Strasburg struggled a bit in his last start against the Colorado Rockies, yielding four runs over six innings with five strikeouts. He was tabbed with a no-decision as the Nationals wound up losing the contest, 6-5.
In his career against the Dodgers, Strasburg has pitched to a 2.44 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 44.1 innings with 51 strikeouts to eight walks. Much of that success has come at Dodger Stadium, where the right-hander has put up a 1.38 ERA and 0.69 WHIP over 13 innings with 17 strikeouts to just one walk.
The Dodgers have a bit of a different look Saturday, as Chris Taylor is playing second base for the first time since June 16, 2017. His last start at the position was 11 days prior. With Taylor moving to the infield, Joc Pederson starts in center field.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Matt Kemp
RF: Yasiel Puig
3B: Max Muncy
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Nationals lineup:
SS: Trea Turner
2B: Howie Kendrick
RF: Bryce Harper
1B: Ryan Zimmerman
LF: Moises Sierra
C: Matt Wieters
CF: Michael A. Taylor
3B: Wilmer Difo
P: Stephen Strasburg
