The Los Angeles Dodgers have a three-game losing streak for just the second time this season after they dropped the series opener to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday by a score of 9-6.
The last time they lost three games in a row was back on April 20, which was immediately followed by their 14-2 record during the end of April and into May.
The Dodgers’ red-hot pace has since cooled down considerably since they began a span of 13 consecutive games. Their seven-game winning streak came to an end and they finished with a 7-6 record during that stretch.
They still have a 6.5 game lead over the Padres in the standings, which is only behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the largest division lead in baseball.
Walker Buehler is the one charged with getting the Dodgers back on track with his second matchup against the Reds’ offense in as many starts. The Dodgers are hoping for more of the same from his last outing, which saw him collect seven strikeouts and allow zero runs.
In either of his first two starts, Buheler had failed to throw more than four innings, but against the Reds he completed six innings while throwing almost the same amount of pitches as the previous two starts.
He attributed his success that day to a change he made to his position on the mound.
Former top prospect Hunter Greene is taking the mound for the Reds in this one. Greene is enjoying quite a nice start to his third year in the Majors with a 3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 66 strikeouts.
He was very effective against the Dodgers the last time these two teams met. He pitched 6.1 innings and struck out eight, with his only blemish being a two-run home run he surrendered to Andy Pages. The Dodgers ultimately won on a Shohei Ohtani walk-off and Greene was left with a no-decision.
Chris Taylor draws a start for the second consecutive game after slugging his first extra-base hit of the season, a two-run double, on Friday.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
LF: Teoscar Hernández
2B: Gavin Lux
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: Chris Taylor
Reds lineup
LF: Jacob Hurtubise
SS: Elly De La Cruz
3B: Jeimer Candelario
1B: Spencer Steer
RF: Jake Fraley
C: Tyler Stephenson
DH: Mike Ford
2B: Jonathan India
CF: Will Benson
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