The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to struggle on their road trip and now look to avoid losing a series to the Oakland Athletics.
The Dodgers are just 2-6 since a five-game winning streak coming out of the All-Star break was snapped, have lost five of their last six, and are on a three-game losing skid.
They try to right the ship behind Jack Flaherty in his Dodgers debut. The right-hander was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a deal that was agreed to minutes before the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday.
Flaherty pitched well for a middling Tigers team and now looks to provide a boost for the Dodgers while also eventually becoming a difference-maker for them in the postseason.
In the time after being traded to the Dodgers, it was reported the New York Yankees declined to move forward with a deal because of concerns over a back injury. Flaherty received two injections for lower back trouble earlier this season but has assured it’s not an issue.
“All I know is I’ve felt great. I’ve felt great. Since we got back from the (All-Star) break or even right before that, I felt great,” he said. “Just been ready to pitch and pretty anxious, just want to get out there again. I pitched a week ago and getting scratched, I understand it’s part of it. I’m just looking forward to getting out there again.”
Flaherty went 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 0.96 WHIP in 18 starts for the Tigers this season. Flaherty’s 32% strikeout rate is on track to be the best of his career.
The A’s counter with Mitch Spence in what’s his 14th start and 25th overall game this season. The rookie right-hander enters 7-6 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
Spence began the season pitching out of the A’s bullpen before moving into their starting rotation in the middle of May. He’s 4-5 with a 4.53 ERA as a starter.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
LF: Teoscar Hernández
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: Andy Pages
1B: Cavan Biggio
SS: Nick Ahmed
A’s lineup
RF: Lawrence Butler
LF: Miguel Andujar
CF: JJ Bleday
DH: Brent Rooker
C: Shea Langeliers
1B: Seth Brown
3B: Abraham Toro
2B: Darrell Hernaiz
SS: Max Schuemann
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