The Los Angeles Dodgers improved to 5-1 on the current homestand with Monday’s victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. L.A. now tries to inch closer to guaranteeing three consecutive series victories.
Looking to guide them there is Julio Urias, who makes his ninth start of the season. He enters with a 5-1 record, 3.26 ERA, 3.15 FIP and 0.91 WHIP in 49.2 innings pitched.
Urias was efficient in his last start against the Seattle Mariners, allowing just one run on two hits over seven innings of work with six strikeouts. It was the left-hander’s fourth time this season logging at least seven frames in an outing.
“It feels good,” Urias said of his ability to consistently pitch into the seventh inning. “It’s part of the preparation to come out here and do exactly what I did. It was something I focused on all week.”
Urias looks to keep his streak going against the Diamondbacks, whom he has dominated since entering the league in 2016. In five games (two starts), the 24-year-old owns a 1.89 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against three walks over 19 innings pitched.
The Diamondbacks counter with Corbin Martin, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. He last pitched in the Majors for the Houston Astros during the 2019 season.
Chris Taylor is back in the Dodgers lineup for the first time since being scratched last Saturday due to right wrist soreness. Taylor is spelling Justin Turner at third base and batting third.
Albert Pujols is back in the lineup for a second consecutive game, playing first base but this time dropped from the cleanup spot to sixth. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his Dodgers debut.
Meanwhile, Yoshi Tsutsugo is making his debut with the team by starting in left field and batting seventh. The Dodgers claimed Tsutsugo off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Mookie Betts
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
RF: Matt Beaty
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: Yoshi Tsutsugo
SS: Gavin Lux
P: Julio Urias
Diamondbacks lineup
1B: Pavin Smith
CF: Tim Locastro
3B: Eduardo Escobar
RF: Josh Rojas
2B: Andrew Young
LF: David Peralta
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Daulton Varsho
P: Corbin Martin
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