After a stretch of defeating sub-.500 opponents, the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their season-best winning streak to nine games by topping the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, and now can clinch another series victory.
They look to do so with Clayton Kershaw on the mound for his second start since coming off the 15-day injured list. Kershaw pitched just five innings in what was his first outing in six weeks.
The start also included Kershaw throwing four changeups, which he suggested could potentially be part of his pitch mix moving forward.
When Kershaw last faced the Brewers on May 10, he held them to just one run over seven innings. The stellar outing came at a time of need for the Dodgers, as their pitching staff was in a state of flux.
Kershaw should be built up to pitch at least six innings and he’s backed by a rested bullpen thanks to Ryan Yarbrough converting a three-inning save in the series opener.
The Brewers counter with Wade Miley, who enters 6-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 15 starts this season. The southpaw allowed one run or fewer in each of his past three outings.
Miley started opposite Kershaw in the May 10 matchup at American Family Fields and gave up six runs over five innings after pitching well to begin the outing.
Miley faces a Dodgers lineup on Wednesday that features a bevy of right-handed hitters. Freddie Freeman, who has started each of the Dodgers’ games this season, and Max Muncy are the only left-handed hitting position players in the lineup.
J.D. Martinez is playing back-to-back nights as part of what’s expected to be five consecutive starts since returning from a left groin/adductor issue.
The Dodgers not only are in position to extend their winning streak to 10 games, but they can also go that many up for first place in the NL West standings due to the San Francisco Giants losing Wednesday afternoon.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
2B: Amed Rosario
3B: Max Muncy
CF: Kiké Hernández
LF: Chris Taylor
SS: Miguel Rojas
Brewers lineup
LF: Christian Yelich
C: William Contreras
1B: Carlos Santana
DH: Mark Canha
SS: Willy Adames
2B: Andruw Monasterio
RF: Sal Frelick
CF: Joey Wiemer
3B: Brian Anderson
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