The Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon with Tony Gonsolin back from the 10-day injured list and Trea Turner and Mookie Betts switched in the lineup.
Turner had been batting leadoff since joining the Dodgers, with Betts moved down to hitting third. The change Thursday could be in response to the Dodgers failing to sustain any sort of consistency on offense.
“I just wanted to change it up a little bit and give the lineup a different look. I think they’re both interchangeable,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Betts in particular has been up and down since returning from a second IL stint for right hip inflammation caused by a bone spur. Another change he’s part of is shifting to the infield to play second base.
Meanwhile, Gonsolin looks to provide some stability in the Dodgers rotation. That won’t fully come against the Cardinals, as the right-hander isn’t completely stretched out. Moving forward, however, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Gonsolin would be a starter.
Gonsolin is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA but has only managed to log at least five innings in two of 10 games (nine starts) this season.
Andre Jackson, who was recalled Thursday, figures to be part of the Dodgers’ pitching plans but not necessarily to piggyback Gonsolin.
The Cardinals counter with Jake Woodford, who enters 2-3 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 21 games (three starts). Woodford’s three starts thus far all came in July, but he then spent August with Triple-A Memphis.
The Cardinals recalled Woodford on Sept. 3, and he threw 5.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen the next day.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
SS: Trea Turner
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Steven Souza Jr.
RF: Billy McKinney
C: Austin Barnes
P: Tony Gonsolin
Cardinals lineup
2B: Tommy Edman
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
LF: Tyler O’Neill
3B: Nolan Arenado
CF: Dylan Carlson
RF: Lars Nootbaar
SS: Paul DeJong
C: Andrew Knizner
P: Jake Woodford
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