After earning blowout victories in the first two games of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to complete a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Doing so would amount to the Dodgers finishing their homestand with a perfect record and extend their season-best winning streak to six games.
Prior to the matchup, the Dodgers called up heralded pitching prospect Gavin Stone from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Alex Vesia.
Stone is making his MLB debut after somewhat struggling early the organization’s top Minor League affiliate. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine in 24.2 innings pitched over six starts.
The inflated ERA largely is a byproduct of allowing six runs in just 2.2 innings during his first start for OKC this year.
Stone impressed during Spring Training and drew praise from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said it was likely the 24-year-old would pitch in the Majors this season.
“I think there’s going to be some emotion, some adrenaline. He’s going to do a great job of masking it, but it’s obviously highly anticipated for us as an organization and our fanbase,” Roberts said Wednesday.
“It’s a big moment for the organization, player development, scouting, and for Gavin and his family. He’s going to go out there and compete. He’s got a chance to face one of the game’s best in Bryce Harper. It’s going to be fun, and it’s one of the moments that me personally, I get excited for.”
The Phillies counter with Aaron Nola, who looks to build on his best start of the year against the Houston Astros. In eight innings of work, he allowed just one run on three hits and collected six strikeouts.
Nola enters at 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA, 4.00 FIP and 1.13 WHIP in 36.1 innings pitched across six starts. The 2014 first-round draft pick has found success against the Dodgers in his career, going 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10.9 strikeouts per nine over 40.1 innings pitched (seven starts).
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Jason Heyward
CF: James Outman
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: David Peralta
SS: Chris Taylor
Phillies lineup
LF: Kyle Schwarber
SS: Trea Turner
DH: Bryce Harper
RF: Nick Castellanos
2B: Bryson Stott
1B: Alec Bohm
CF: Brandon Marsh
3B: Edmundo Sosa
C: Garrett Stubbs
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