The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped their losing streak and now have a chance to end the homestand with a guaranteed series win by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
To do so the Dodgers will need to find success against Pirates rookie standout Paul Skenes. The right-hander gave up three runs and finished with eight strikeouts over five innings when he faced the Dodgers on June 5.
The Dodgers scored all of their runs via homers by Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández.
The start was just Skenes’ fifth of his career. He since has gone on to start for the National League team in the MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field and continued with a season that’s likely going to end with the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Unfortunately for Skenes, the Pirates are on a five-game losing streak and have dropped seven of their last 10.
Saturday’s pitching matchup is a duel between rookies as River Ryan takes the mound for his fourth start. Ryan made his MLB debut on July 22 and earned an opportunity to remain in the Dodgers rotation, for the time being at least.
Ryan enters 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. How much longer he’s going to be up with the Dodgers is unclear as Walker Buehler is due to return next week and Bobby Miller may not be far behind.
Prior to the game, more than 40 former Dodgers players are being honored on the field for their contributions to the team and in the Los Angeles community as Alumni Weekend at Dodger Stadium continues.
In addition, late owner Walter O’Malley is becoming the 15th person inducted into the Ring of Honor.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
LF: Teoscar Hernández
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Gavin Lux
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
C: Austin Barnes
CF: Kevin Kiermaier
SS: Nick Ahmed
Pirates lineup
2B: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF: Bryan Reynolds
SS: Oneil Cruz
DH: Joey Bart
1B: Rowdy Tellez
RF: Bryan De La Cruz
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
C: Yamsani Grandal
CF: Michael A. Taylor
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