The Los Angeles Dodgers finished their road trip in disappointing fashion and now being a six-game homestand that opens with a series against the Chicago Cubs. The visit marks the first time Joc Pederson is back at Dodger Stadium since leaving the Dodgers in free agency.
Like Dylan Floro and Alex Wood did on their return to L.A., Pederson will receive his 2020 World Series ring. Pederson regularly delivered key home runs for the Dodgers in the postseason and was a valued member of the team, but sought a full-time role elsewhere.
That’s yet to fully come to fruition with the Cubs, but the left-handed slugger should get his share of opportunities against Walker Buehler and presumably Tony Gonsolin as well in the first two games of the series.
Buehler is on the mound for his first start since taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He was nothing short of dominant against the Arizona Diamondbacks and despite battling a high pitch count, was going to be given the opportunity by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to complete a no-no.
On the season Buehler is 7-0 with a 2.38 ERA, 3.52 FIP and 0.90 WHIP in 14 starts. He’s logged at least six innings in every outing and can set a Dodgers franchise record if avoiding a loss Thursday night.
Buehler has an unbeaten streak that spans 23 consecutive starts, which is tied with Kirby Higbe for the longest such stretch in Dodgers franchise history. Buehler’s streak stands at 30 outings when factoring in the postseason.
Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias previously shared the L.A. franchise record by going 21 consecutive starts without being tabbed with a loss.
The Cubs counter with Zach Davies in the first of four right-handers the Dodgers will face throughout the series. Davies enters 4-4 with a 4.66 ERA and is coming off an outing in which he allowed eight runs on seven hits in a loss to the Miami Marlins.
Davies did not face L.A. during the series at Wrigley Field earlier this season but has regularly given them fits throughout his career. Buehler allowed two runs on five hits over six innings on May 5 and took a no-decision in a game the Dodgers lost to the Cubs.
Mookie Betts is back in the Dodgers lineup after missing the past two games due to a stomach issue. He received IV fluids at Petco Park on Wednesday night and was sent back to L.A. ahead of the team.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: AJ Pollock
SS: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
P: Walker Buehler
Cubs lineup
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Kris Bryant
SS: Javier Baez
1B: Anthony Rizzo
C: Willson Contreras
CF: Rafael Ortega
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Eric Sogard
P: Zach Davies
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