With a magic number of just two to clinch an eighth consecutive National League West title, the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium.
Dustin May gets the nod for what marks his 11th appearance and 10th start of the season. He served as the Dodgers’ opener in last week’s finale against the San Diego Padres, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings pitched.
Though he is a starter by trade, May revealed that he feels comfortable pitching out of the bullpen. “I feel confident. I had a lot of experience last year, so I’m totally fine,” May said of the outing. “I came out of the gate firing, just knowing I had to be ready from pitch one.”
May brings with him into Tuesday’s start a 1-1 record, 2.68 ERA, 4.72 FIP and 1.09 WHIP across 47 innings. He has allowed four home runs in three starts this month, so he’ll look to keep the ball in the yard against a tough Oakland lineup.
The Athletics, having already clinched the American League West, send former Dodgers prospect Frankie Montas to the mound for his 10th start of the season.
The right-hander made a combined seven appearances between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2016 before being dealt at the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.
After posting career-bests across the board last season, Montas has taken a bit of a step back this year. He enters Tuesday’s start with a 3-4 record, 5.86 ERA, 4.72 FIP and 1.54 WHIP in 43 innings pitched.
This series marks only the second time the Dodgers have faced a team above .500 this season. The other being the Padres, with L.A. taking six of those 10 head-to-head meetings.
Justin Turner was scheduled his first start at third base since returning from the 10-day injured list but was scratched. He has been limited to starts as the designated hitter. Joc Pederson is in the Dodgers lineup, fresh off being reinstated from the family medical emergency list.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
1B: Max Muncy
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Will Smith
2B: Chris Taylor
DH: Joc Pederson
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Edwin Rios
Athletics lineup
DH: Tommy La Stella
LF: Robbie Grossman
SS: Marcus Semien
1B: Matt Olson
CF: Mark Canha
3B: Jake Lamb
RF: Stephen Piscotty
2B: Tony Kemp
C: Sean Murphy
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