After taking three of four from the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip with the opener of a two-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Dodgers enter with a 65-46 record and hold a four-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West standings. The Diamondbacks remain in third place, but have lost ground over the past week due to their current six-game losing streak.
Arizona has won five of eight head-to-head meetings against L.A. this season. The teams are scheduled to play three more times later this month at Dodger Stadium from August 28-30.
Julio Urías makes his 17th start of the season and looks to build on a solid outing against the Oakland Athletics. He allowed only three hits and collected five strikeouts in five scoreless innings.
Urías is 8-6 with a 4.69 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts this season. He has fallen well short of expectations and also missed time because of a left hamstring strain, but believes better results are ahead.
“There’s been a lot of inconsistency throughout the year, but I’m feeling like myself on the mound and I feel like I’m stronger,” Urías said through an interpreter. “So those inconsistencies aren’t as prevalent as they were in the past. I feel really good about where I’m at right now.”
Urías has dominated the Diamondbacks throughout his career as he owns an 8-1 record, 1.55 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 12 appearances (nine starts) against them.
Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt, who makes his 10th career MLB start and first against the Dodgers. The rookie right-hander is coming off his best outing against the San Francisco Giants in which he gave up one run on two hits over seven innings of work.
Pfaadt has gotten off to an 0-5 start with a 7.11 ERA, 6.65 FIP and 1.44 WHIP in 44.1 innings pitched. He owns a much better 6-2 record, 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine in 12 starts with Triple-A Reno this season.
Pfaadt is looking to slow a Dodgers lineup that is led by Mookie Betts, who is on an MLB-best 14-game hitting streak.
The Dodgers were set to go with their primary lineup against right-handers except for at shortstop where Amed Rosario draws the start. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously said Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor would be the two shortstop options while Rosario fills a platoon role against left-handers while playing second base and center field.
However, roughly one hour before the game, J.D. Martinez was scratched for the lineup and replaced by Kiké Hernández. The move also shifted Max Muncy from third base to designated hitter.
Martinez has been dealing with left groin/adductor trouble but hasn’t been able to determine what causes the discomfort. The Dodgers announced the veteran DH was scratched with left groin/hamstring tightness.
In addition, Victor González was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City while Bryan Hudson was optioned.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: Max Muncy
LF: David Peralta
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Amed Rosario
Diamondbacks lineup
2B: Ketel Marte
CF: Corbin Carroll
DH: Tommy Pham
1B: Christian Walker
LF: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
3B: Emmanuel Rivera
RF: Jake McCarthy
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Carson Kelly
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