The Los Angeles Dodgers blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning and now need a win in the rubber match against the Detroit Tigers to avoid a second consecutive series loss heading into the All-Star break.
As it stands, their six-game road trip is going to result in a losing record due in large part to getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers close out the unofficial first half with a bullpen game. It’s not a desirable approach for a group that has been taxed of late because of injuries and inconsistent performances from starters.
Sunday is a second game in the past four days the Dodgers are technically starting a relief pitcher. Anthony Banda was utilized as an opener in the series finale against the Phillies, and wound up being tabbed with the loss.
Brent Honeywell now gets to fill that role, though the right-hander conceivably could pitch multiple innings. The start is Honeywell’s first of the season and third in his career. Each of the prior two came in 2021 while he was with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Dodgers claimed Honeywell off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old pitched a scoreless inning for the Pirates on July 8 and then allowed one run over 2.1 innings on July 10.
Ricky Vanasco was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a corresponding move to adding Honeywell to the Dodgers roster. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to make room on the 40-man roster.
The Tigers counter with Beau Brieske, who is making his first start of the season and 19th overall appearance. The 26-year-old started 15 games for the Tigers in 2022 and once last season.
Brieske enters 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this year. Brieske is pitching on back-to-back days as he faced four batters and recorded two outs while allowing one run on two hits.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
C: Will Smith
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
RF: Andy Pages
SS: Miguel Rojas
2B: Gavin Lux
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: James Outman
RF: Wenceel Pérez
2B: Colt Keith
CF: Matt Vierling
DH: Riley Greene
C: Carson Kelly
3B: Gio Urshela
SS: Zach McKinstry
1B: Andy Ibáñez
LF: Ryan Vilade
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