The Los Angeles Dodgers had their winning streak snapped at seven games in a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves, and now look to avoid dropping the series at Dodger Stadium.
Wednesday’s game features two pitchers at opposite ends of their respective careers in Tony Gonsolin and Charlie Morton.
Gonsolin makes his third start of the season after a scoreless performance against the Cincinnati Reds on Jackie Robinson Day. He wasn’t particularly sharp in that outing, having to work out of multiple tough spots after allowing the leadoff man to reach in his first three innings.
Gonsolin has expressed optimism after a positive offseason shoulder program, only has one regular-season appearance against the Braves which came in 2019, but in five postseason outings, he holds a 10.45 ERA in 10.1 IP.
Tyler Anderson figureD to appear in piggyback scenario, as he has done so in Gonsolin’s previous two starts, but the left-hander might now need to be saved for a start Saturday due to Andrew Heaney landing on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort.
Anderson has been another eye-catching reclamation project for L.A. with two identical appearances of four innings pitched, two hits, one earned run and four strikeouts.
The Dodgers recalled Zach McKinstry from Triple-A Oklahoma City in place of Heaney.
The Braves counter with Morton, who has faced the Dodgers six times since 2017, four of which came in the postseason. Last year he held L.A. in check with a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings, but this year the 38-year-old has been less than himself.
Morton gave up five runs on nine hits over five innings against the San Diego Padres in his last start.
After 11 games the Dodgers have the No. 2 scoring offense in baseball, and with most of their damage coming in bunches, they could use some tack on runs when those big innings aren’t sparking.
Mookie Betts continues to struggle at the plate in the leadoff spot amid a tough 7-for-41 start to the season with only two extra-base hits, both being doubles. Betts, while playing through a hip injury in 2021, still managed to slug 23 homers with an .854 on-base plus slugging percentage.
The Braves placed Austin Riley on the paternity list and recalled Travis Demeritte.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
DH: Edwin Ríos
Braves lineup
2B: Ozzie Albies
1B: Matt Olson
DH: Marcell Ozuna
CF: Adam Duvall
LF: Eddie Rosario
3B: Orlando Arcia
RF: Guillermo Heredia
C: Manny Piña
SS: Dansby Swanson
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