After a disappointing loss to the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers send out rookie Bobby Miller against Alex Wood in his return from the 15-day injured list.
Despite six innings of no-hit ball from Emmet Sheehan in his MLB debut, the Dodgers bullpen could not hold the lead and they lost in 11 innings. The Dodgers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games, while the Giants enter play Saturday on a season-high-tying five-game winning streak.
Miller has been a balm for a Dodgers rotation mired by injuries and inconsistent performances. He is 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP since being called up in late May. In his last three starts, Miller has pitched 18 innings and allowed only one earned run while collecting 18 strikeouts.
Miller’s historic start, poise on the mound, and overall pitching stuff have already drawn comparisons to teammate Walker Buehler.
For the Giants, Wood takes the mound for his first start since May 31 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings. Wood is 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA and 1.60 WHIP this season.
Offensively, the Dodgers are looking to continue to put up big numbers. They currently lead the National League in runs scored (386) and walks (297), and are second in home runs (116), slugging percentage (.451) and on-base plus slugging (.780).
The Dodgers need their top right-handed bats to show up against Wood, who has a 6.14 ERA against righties. Against left-handed hitters, his ERA is 1.13.
J.D. Martinez has historically crushed left-handed pitchers, posting a career .950 OPS. He is having a resurgent year, with 16 home runs and a .890 OPS, though Martinez has struggled in his last seven games, hitting .167/.259/.417 by going 4-for-24.
Martinez is starting in left field for the first time since the 2021 season because the Dodgers are without Chris Taylor and David Peralta, who both exited Friday’s game with injuries. That’s in addition to Max Muncy being on the IL because of a left hamstring strain.
Along with Martinez playing the outfield, the domino effect from injuries include Michael Busch starting at third base, and Austin Barnes behind the plate with Will Smith as the designated hitter.
Mookie Betts has exploded over his last seven, posting a robust .367/.441/.500 slash line. Betts additionally has a 10-game hitting streak.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Will Smith
LF: J.D. Martinez
CF: Jonny DeLuca
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
3B: Michael Busch
C: Austin Barnes
Giants lineup
1B: LaMonte Wade Jr.
DH: Joc Pederson
2B: Thairo Estrada
LF: Michael Conforto
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
CF: Luis Matos
C: Patrick Bailey
SS: Brandon Crawford
3B: Casey Schmidt
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