The Los Angeles Dodgers began their road trip in encouraging fashion but now have lost consecutive games heading into an MLB Players Weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals, who were just swept by the Cincinnati Reds and have dropped four in a row.
While the weekend matchup represents the final leg on the Dodgers’ road trip, they are only halfway through a stretch of playing 13 consecutive games without an off day.
Justin Wrobleski was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make a spot start that in turns provides the rest of the rotation with extra rest. Tyler Glasnow was pushed back to Saturday and Clayton Kershaw is the probable for the series finale against the Cardinals.
Wrobleski is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across four starts for the Dodgers so far. The rookie left-hander turned in the longest start of his young career when last pitching for L.A. by completing 5.2 innings against the Houston Astros.
Wrobleski was optioned to Oklahoma City days later as the corresponding move to Jack Flaherty joining the Dodgers roster after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the deadline.
“It was tough. It was tough,” manager Dave Roberts said at the time. “I think we just wanted to see a little bit more from River (Ryan). But Justin did a fantastic job, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him back up here at some point.”
Considering River Ryan now needs Tommy John surgery that is likely to keep him out until 2026, Wrobleski is among the pitchers the Dodgers could mix in to finish out the season and potentially in the playoffs as well.
Miles Mikolas starts against the Dodgers for the second time since criticizing their payroll. He took the mound for the Dodger Stadium opener this season, allowing five runs on seven hits, including two homers, in just 4.1 innings pitched.
Mikolas 8-9 with a 5.30 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 24 starts this season.
MLB Players Weekend 2024
Games played from Aug. 16-18 are part of MLB Players Weekend returning after it was last held in 2019. Highlights include putting a spotlight on players’ interests, backstories and charitable causes that are important to them.
However, Players Weekend 2024 is not going to include nicknames on the back of jerseys, but instead caps being worn with a special design.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: Kevin Kiermaier
3B: Kiké Hernández
Cardinals lineup
SS: Masyn Winn
DH: Willson Contreras
LF: Tommy Pham
3B: Nolan Arenado
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
2B: Brendan Donovan
RF: Jordan Walker
C: Pedro Pagés
CF: Victor Scott II
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