The Los Angeles Dodgers scorched the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night and have a chance to take the three-game set at Dodger Stadium and season series.
The offense rebounded from a shutout loss in the opener with a 10-run outburst behind Trayce Thompson and Freddie Freeman leading the charge with a combined eight RBI. Tony Gonsolin continued his hot streak with five innings with only one earned run and lowered his ERA to 2.10, a National League-best.
Andrew Heaney now takes the mound for the Dodgers in his ninth start of the season and his second against the Brewers in as many turns. On the season, Heaney is 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA and a 3.01 FIP in 35.2 innings pitched.
In his prior outing against the Brewers, Heaney struck out 10 but surrendered five runs (three earned), including a season-high three home runs. Heaney went into the start with just one homer allowed this season.
His 34.2% strikeout rate this year is by far the highest mark of his career and Heaney’s newfound slider is among the best in baseball with a .157 expected batting average.
Aside from the three home runs, Heaney highlighted many things he liked about his last start, including the high number of whiffs he generated, which led to the 10 strikeouts.
The Brewers counter with Adrian Houser, who is making his first start since June 30. The 29-year-old missed a good chunk of time with a flexor strain in his right elbow, but managed to avoid surgery.
Prior to his IL stint, Houser was 4-8 with a 4.72 ERA across 15 starts. His 13th percentile strikeout rate and 26th percentile chase rate should play key factors in Wednesday’s matchup with a top-ranked Dodgers offense.
Houser throws his sinker 49.2% of the time and opposing hitters have recorded a .359 wOBA against his primary pitch.
Entering Wednesday, the Dodgers’ offense at home ranks No. 1 in all of baseball with a 127 wRC+ and a combined .797 on-base plus slugging.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Joey Gallo
DH: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Austin Barnes
Brewers lineup
LF: Christian Yelich
SS: Willy Adames
DH: Andrew McCutchen
RF: Hunter Renfroe
1B: Rowdy Tellez
3B: Luis Urías
C: Victor Caratini
2B: Kolten Wong
CF: Tyrone Taylor
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