The Los Angeles Dodgers look to extend their winning streak to five games as the homestand series continues against the Chicago Cubs.
L.A. earned a 5-3 win on Thursday, backed by four home runs to keep their lead in the National League West at six games with a 53-29 record. The Cubs are currently third in the NL East with a 34-49 record.
Tyler Anderson makes his 16th appearance (14th start) of the season and tries to become MLB’s fourth pitcher with double-digit wins. If Anderson can earn his 10th win, the Dodgers would become the first team this year with two pitchers to reach that mark.
In June, Anderson had his worst month of the season, posting an ERA of 3.81 in five starts, but he started July on a good note by pitching 6.1 innings and giving up just one run against the San Diego Padres.
Overall, the veteran southpaw has pitched to a strong 3.09 ERA and 3.32 FIP in 84.1 innings while striking out 21.5% of hitters and walking 4.4%.
The Cubs counter with Keegan Thompson, who has been having a solid year of his own. In 72.1 innings, the right-hander owns a 3.41 ERA and 3.79 FIP while striking out 22.4% of hitters and walking 8.2%.
Like Anderson, Thompson also had his worth month of the season in June, but the results were far worse. Thompson pitched 27.1 innings during the month and gave up 20 runs (18 earned) for an ERA of 5.93.
While his first start of July was slightly better, he only lasted four innings and gave up two runs.
The Dodgers’ offense could cause a lot of trouble for him with MLB’s best offense against right-handers. When facing righties, the Dodgers are batting .255/.331/.445 with a 119 wRC+.
The Cubs, meanwhile, have been just about middle-of-the-pack against left-handers, hitting .245/.317/.419 with a 104 wRC+.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
DH: Jake Lamb
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Gavin Lux
Cubs lineup
2B: Christopher Morel
LF: Ian Happ
3B: Patrick Wisdom
RF: Seiya Suzuki
SS: Nico Hoerner
C: Yan Gomes
1B: P.J. Higgins
CF: Nelson Velázquez
DH: David Bote
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