The Los Angeles Dodgers started their first road trip of the 2023 season with a win but have since lost consecutive games and now look to salvage the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with another split.
The Dodgers, Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres enter play on Easter Sunday locked in a three-way tie for first place in the National League West with respective 5-4 records. L.A. is just one game above .500 despite leading the NL with a +21 run differential that is also second-best in the Majors.
Their losses this season have largely been due to bullpen struggles. Though on Saturday, Noah Syndergaard failed to protect a 4-0 lead the Dodgers took in the first inning.
Michael Grove gets an opportunity to lead a potential pitching turnaround in the series finale at Chase Field for what’s his second start of the season. Grove made the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation because of injuries to Tony Gonsolin and Ryan Pepiot.
Grove nearly needed to be replaced himself because of feeling under the weather, but he still managed to take the mound against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Grove went five-plus innings and was charged for three runs.
“I was feeling OK,” Grove said after the start. “Just more weak than anything. I haven’t been able to eat a lot, but it didn’t affect me too much.”
Sunday’s start is Grove’s second of his career at Chase Field. He went five innings and allowed two runs during an outing there last year. Overall, Grove has a 4.50 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in two starts against the Diamondbacks.
Arizona counters with Ryne Nelson, who also is making his second start of the season. Nelson allowed three runs on six hits in five innings against the San Diego Padres on April 3. He didn’t factor into the decision of the D-Backs’ loss at Petco Park.
Nelson has previously faced the Dodgers once in his career, throwing six shutout innings and collecting six strikeouts last September.
Miguel Rojas is back in the Dodgers lineup after missing the past five games due to left groin tightness. The Dodgers originally hoped Rojas would return Friday but were also committed to erring on the side of caution in effort to avoid a more long-term injury.
Will Smith receives another day off ahead of likely starting all three games against the San Francisco Giants.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: David Peralta
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
C: Austin Barnes
Diamondbacks lineup
3B: Josh Rojas
2B: Geraldo Perdomo
DH: Pavin Smith
1B: Christian Walker
LF: Corbin Carroll
RF: Jake McCarthy
CF: Alek Thomas
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Jose Herrera
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