After falling 6-5 in extra innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back at Chase Field in hopes of closing the gap in the National League West standings.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, the division-leading San Francisco Giants also fell on Friday, so the club remains three games out of first place.
With limited options in the starting rotation, the Dodgers turn to the bullpen in Saturday night’s contest.
Mitch White opens the ballgame, his first time doing so this season. White most recently pitched on Wednesday against the Giants, allowing just two hits over two scoreless innings. The solid outing lowered his ERA to 3.54 on the year.
White has faced the Diamondbacks once this season. In a relief role, he recorded two outs and allowed an earned run on two hits.
The Dodgers see a familiar foe in Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly. Entering Saturday, Kelly has faced the Dodgers twice this season and five times in his career. The last time the two parties met, he limited the Dodgers to only one earned run over 5.1 innings.
On the year Kelly owns a 7-7 record and a 4.39 ERA through 21 starts.
Although Corey Seager returned from the 60-day injured list Friday and recorded two hits, he is not in the lineup as the Dodgers ease him back into playing every day. Chris Taylor starts at shortstop in Seager’s absence.
As Mookie Betts remains out of the lineup due to hip inflammation, Billy McKinney starts in right field and hits in the eight spot. In eight games for the Dodgers thus far, McKinney has hit a paltry .207.
Prior to first pitch the Dodgers recalled Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta, optioned Brusdar Graterol to Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Tony Gonsolin on the 10-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Chris Taylor
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Cody Bellinger
1B: Matt Beaty
RF: Billy McKinney
P: Mitch White
Diamondbacks lineup
C: Carson Kelly
2B: Josh VanMeter
1B: Asdrubal Cabrera
RF: Kole Calhoun
3B: Drew Ellis
LF: David Peralta
SS: Nick Ahmed
CF: Daulton Varsho
P: Merrill Kelly
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