Facing a near must-win scenario, the Los Angeles Dodgers start Julio Urias against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. Atlanta enters play 7-0 and having scored first in each of their games thus far in the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are looking to find their footing not only in the series but on the pitching front. Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his Game 2 start due to back spasms, and while the team is hopeful he will take the ball Thursday, it’s not officially set.
For Urias, it’s an opportunity to start for the first time after making one relief appearance in each the Wild Card round and NL Division Series. He’s thrown a combined eight innings and allowed just one run (unearned) while collecting 11 strikeouts against just one walk in his two games.
Urias will be backed by a Dodgers lineup that welcomes Edwin Rios into the fold. He missed the entire NLDS due to a groin injury and was limited to only a potential pinch-hit appearance in the first two games against the Braves.
Rios starting at third base slides Justin Turner into the designated hitter spot, and Joc Pederson starts in left field, which moves AJ Pollock to the bench. It’s the first time this postseason Pollock has been out of the lineup.
The Dodgers look to get their bats going against Kyle Wright. The right-hander had seven strikeouts and held the Miami Marlins to just three hits over six scoreless innings during an NLDS start.
The 25-year-old went 2-4 with a 5.21 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in eight starts during the regular season.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Justin Turner
1B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Edwin Rios
2B: Chris Taylor
Braves lineup
RF: Ronald Acuña Jr.
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Marcell Ozuna
C: Travis d’Arnaud
2B: Ozzie Albies
SS: Dansby Swanson
LF: Austin Riley
3B: Johan Camargo
CF: Cristian Pache
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