The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
It marked the teams’ first meeting since Game 6 of the 2021 National League Championship Series. Tuesday’s contest between the Dodgers and Braves features a marquee pitching matchup as Walker Buehler squares off against Max Fried.
Buehler makes his third start of the season and looks for more consistency on the mound.
After earning a win on Opening Day, the right-hander wasn’t quite as dominant in the Dodgers’ home opener against the Cincinnati Reds. He escaped multiple jams before surrendering a two-run home run to Aristides Aquino with two outs in the sixth inning.
Buehler wound up completing 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs with four strikeouts against three walks. “Kind of throughout the game I kind of felt like I found rhythm and then lost it, then found it, then lost it,” he explained.
“Little bit of jitters, little bit of trying to do a lot. Obviously with how our pitching’s been, especially yesterday, you want to go and throw the ball well. Maybe tried to do a little too much, but it is what it is. I think we’ll settle back in.”
The Braves counter with Max Fried, who looks to bounce back after two rough starts to begin his 2022 campaign. He allowed five runs on eight hits in his debut against the Reds, then followed that with another loss to the Washington Nationals last week.
In five career starts against the Dodgers, Fried is 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 12 innings pitched. The Santa Monica, Calif., native posted a 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in two regular-season appearances against L.A. last season.
Cody Bellinger was originally scheduled for a day off, but he was inserted into the lineup late to replace Gavin Lux, who was scratched due to back tightness.
Prior to the game the Braves designated Sean Newcomb for assignment and optioned Huascar Ynoa to Triple-A Gwinnett. Touki Toussaint and Dylan Lee were recalled to take their roster spots.
The Dodgers enter play with the longest active winning streak and the best record in baseball. Tuesday’s matchup is being broadcast on TBS, but is subject to local blackout restrictions.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
DH: Justin Turner
2B: Max Muncy
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Hanser Alberto
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Austin Barnes
Braves lineup
2B: Ozzie Albies
1B: Matt Olson
3B: Austin Riley
DH: Marcell Ozuna
RF: Eddie Rosario
C: Travis d’Arnaud
CF: Adma Duvall
LF: Orlando Arcia
SS: Dansby Swanson
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