The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a six-game road trip against the Cincinnati Reds, who have top prospect Elly De La Cruz in their lineup for his MLB debut.
Although De La Cruz is a shortstop, he’s playing third base for the Reds in the series opener at Great American Ball Park. De La Cruz hit .297/.398/.633 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI over 38 games for Triple-A Louisville this year. He began the season on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain suffered during Spring Training.
The 21-year-old is the youngest player to make his debut while batting in the cleanup spot since Andres Mora (20 years, 324 days) did so for the Baltimore Orioles in 1976.
De La Cruz went a combined 0-for-3 against the Dodgers in two Cactus League games.
Tony Gonsolin is now their first pitcher who gets a look at the top Reds prospect in a Major League game. Gonsolin is coming off a one-run outing but credited much of his success over six innings to strong defense played behind him.
Overall this season, Gonsolin is 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in seven starts this season. He’s completed at least five innings in five consecutive outings and allowed more than one earned run only once during that span.
Gonsolin’s .806 winning percentage (29-7) since debuting in 2019 is best in the Majors among all pitchers (minimum 20 innings).
The Dodgers’ pitching staff also includes Nick Robertson, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Tayler Scott was optioned as the corresponding roster move.
Robertson fills the open spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster that was created when the Atlanta Braves claimed Luke Williams off waivers.
The Reds counter with Luke Weaver, who is 1-2 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in eight starts. Weaver allowed at least three earned runs in four of six starts during the month of May.
The Dodgers swept the season series (7-0) against the Reds last year and are 40-20 in head-to-head meetings since 2013 with a run differential of +84. The Dodgers have won nine in a row against Cincinnati, which includes a five-game winning streak at Great American Ball Park.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: David Peralta
CF: Jason Heyward
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
Reds lineup
RF: Jake Fraley
SS: Matt McLain
2B: Jonathan India
3B: Elly De La Cruz
LF: Spencer Steer
DH: Tyler Stephenson
1B: Kevin Newman
CF: Stuart Fairchild
C: Luke Maile
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