Rookie starters again are a shared theme for the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of their series at Dodger Stadium. Saturday’s matchup is a national broadcast on Fox, while the series finale is going to be on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
Bobby Miller takes the mound as he looks to bounce back from suffering the first loss of his young career. The outing also was the first time the impressive right-hander had struggled since making his MLB debut with the Dodgers.
“I’ve lost plenty of times in my life,” Miller said after giving up seven runs to the San Francisco Giants. “You win some, you lose some. Just got to stay positive and keep pitching. Keep doing what I’m doing.”
Even with that bump in the road, Miller still owns a quality 2.83 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in five starts. He’s completed at least five innings in each outing, and a minimum of six frames in three of them.
Miller is opposed by Ronel Blanco, who is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 12 games (three starts) this season. Blanco made his MLB debut with the Astros last year, appearing in seven games out of the bullpen.
Including Saturday’s game, all four of Blanco’s starts this season have come during the month of June. He’s allowed at least two runs and one homer in each of his starts thus far.
The Dodgers lineup still does not include Chris Taylor, but he is considered fully available off the bench after being limited to a pinch-hitter role because of a right knee injury that required a cortisone injection.
Although the Dodgers remain in third place of the National League West, they are on a three-game winning streak and their 23-14 home record is best in the league.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: Jason Heyward
CF: James Outman
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
3B: Michael Busch
Astros lineup
2B: Jose Altuve
3B: Alex Bregman
RF: Kyle Tucker
1B: José Abreu
C: Yainer Diaz
SS: Jeremy Peña
DH: Bligh Madris
LF: Corey Julks
CF: Jake Meyers
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