After one of their most exciting comeback wins of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers go for the series victory against the Toronto Blue Jays in an afternoon affair at Dodger Stadium.
The big news for the Dodgers is the return of, Kiké Hernández. He was a staple on the Dodgers roster from 2015-2020 and had many memorable hits in the postseason.
Hernández is not having a good year at the plate, but the Dodgers were in the market for a super-utility player who at least historically hit left-handed pitching. With Yusei Kukuchi on the mound, Hernández is in the Dodgers lineup at second base for his return.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he anticipates Hernández primarily playing second base and center field as part of a platoon. Hernández may also see some time at shortstop and left field.
Jonny DeLuca was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain as the corresponding move to putting Hernández on the active roster. Also before the game, the Dodgers recalled Tyson Miller from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Justin Bruihl.
As for matters on the mound, Tony Gonsolin enters 5-3 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. In his last start, Gonsolin was only able to go five innings, giving up four earned runs but also striking out six. Over his last three starts he has pitched 16.2 innings, allowing nine earned runs while striking out 14 hitters.
Gonsolin’s FIP has always been higher than his ERA, signifying a bit of luck in his good results. But after his recent struggles, it is now closer to being normalized.
Kikuchi is 7-3 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. The southpaw is having his best season so far, posting a 107 ERA+ and walking fewer batters than he ever has. Kikuchi throws his fastball 44% of the time, mixing it in with slider (25%), curveball (16.4%), and a changeup (13.5%) of the time.
His fastball gets hit hard when he is not locating it or mixing in his pitches.
Kikuchi faces a Dodgers lineup that includes most regulars, with Freddie Freeman among them. Freeman enters play with an MLB-best 25-game on-base streak.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
C: Austin Barnes
Blue Jays lineup
RF: George Springer
SS: Bo Bichette
DH: Brandon Belt
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3B: Matt Chapman
LF: Whit Merrifield
CF: Daulton Varsho
C: Danny Jensen
2B: Cavan Biggio
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