Despite playing without Justin Turner for most of their road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of a five-game winning streak and can make franchise history by defeating the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.
They have already tied the L.A. franchise record with 105 wins, which also represents the most ever by any team in the organization’s history. A win in the regular-season finale at Oracle Park will overtake the 1953 Brooklyn team.
Rich Hill can help pitch the Dodgers to a new franchise record in what’s his final audition for a spot on their postseason roster. Hill’s return from the 60-day injured list was interrupted by a second MCL strain in his left knee, but it’s hardly slowed his determination.
Hill continued throwing through discomfort and took to wearing a knee brace that helps alleviate some of the pain. That didn’t appear to be the case as he labored through an inning against the San Diego Padres.
Hill nonetheless made it through two scoreless innings, finishing with five strikeouts and even contributing a double at the plate. He threw a third inning in the bullpen and sprinted to and from the dugout.
The 39-year-old has seven strikeouts and has yet to allow a hit in 2.2 innings since returning from the 60-day IL.
The Giants counter with Dereck Rodríguez after deciding to give Madison Bumgarner the final day of the regular season off. It could mark the end of his Giants tenure, and that also applies to manager Bruch Bochy as he’s entering retirement.
Rodríguez is 0-1 with an 11.32 ERA in four career appearances against the Dodgers. Three of those (one start) have come this season, and he’s allowed a combined 11 runs (eight earned).
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Chris Taylor
3B: Max Muncy
LF: A.J. Pollock
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
CF: Kiké Hernandez
P: Rich Hill
Giants lineup:
2B: Mauricio Dubón
CF: Mike Yastrzemski
C: Buster Posey
3B: Evan Longoria
LF: Austin Slater
1B: Brandon Belt
RF: Jaylin Davis
SS: Brandon Crawford
P: Dereck Rodríguez
