The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks meet for the series opener at Chase Field in what also marks the start of eight head-to-head games over the next 11 days. Included that stretch is a doubelheader at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Despite previously believing otherwise, the Dodgers enter play Monday still looking to officially clinch a 2022 MLB postseason berth. Because of potential three- and four-team tiebreaker scenarios, the Dodgers need another win or a Milwaukee Brewers loss to reach the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
They are in full control of their own destiny as the Brewers are off Monday. Meanwhile, Tuesday remains the earliest day the Dodgers can clinch the National League West.
Tyler Anderson is on the mound for the first game against the Diamondbacks as he looks to build on a successful outing his last time out. Anderson needed to adjust his approach due to the San Francisco Giants swinging aggressively early in counts, and he proceeded to get through seven innings with three runs allowed.
Anderson enters 14-3 with a 2.73 ERA and 1.03 WHIP this season. He’s held the Diamondbacks to two runs in a combined 13 innings over two starts against them in 2022.
Arizona counters with Ryne Nelson for what’s just the second start of his career. Nelson tossed seven scoreless innings and had seven strikeouts against the San Diego Padres in his MLB debut.
Nelson faces a Dodgers lineup that has several regulars, but with Mookie Betts playing second base. Chris Taylor has primarily filled in for the injured Gavin Lux, but the Dodgers view bringing Betts in on the dirt as a means of managing his workload while still playing.
Freddie Freeman, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Monday and was just named NL Player of the Week for the third time this season, has a six-game hitting streak. Trea Turner has hit safely in nine straight.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
LF: Joey Gallo
RF: Trayce Thompson
CF: Cody Bellinger
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