The Los Angeles Dodgers recovered from squandering an early lead by coming up with what had been elusive runs late in games, and now look to take the Freeway Series rubber match from the L.A. Angels.
Walker Buehler is on the mound as he tries to bounce back from what he felt was a disappointing showing against the Houston Astros. Buehler only allowed one run on five hits and got through six innings, but said there wasn’t much positive to take from the start.
Buehler has logged at least six innings in all but one of his 22 starts this season. That type of consistency, coupled with his success, has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believing Buehler belongs in the National League Cy Young Award discussion.
Buehler takes the mound Sunday with an 11-2 record to go along with a 2.16 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, both of which are career-best marks.
The Angels counter with Reid Detmers, who made his MLB debut one week ago. The start was a rocky introduction as the southpaw allowed six runs on six hits, including a pair of homers, over 4.1 innings.
Detmers was selected by the Angels with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Mookie Betts is out of the lineup for a previously scheduled off day. He continues to deal with right hip trouble that appears to be relatively significant, though details are scare. Betts not playing amounts to Cody Bellinger earning a start in right field.
Roberts had previously indicated Bellinger was likely to platoon now that Trea Turner was activated and with the production from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Pollock is batting third, which is where Betts figures to be moving forward.
Elsewhere in the Dodgers’ lineup, depth is preventing Albert Pujols from starting against a left-handed pitcher for the first time since signing with the team.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
1B: Max Muncy
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
RF: Cody Bellinger
P: Walker Buehler
Angels lineup
2B: David Fletcher
RF: Adam Eaton
C: Max Stassi
1B: Phil Gosselin
SS: Jose Iglesias
LF: Jo Adell
CF: Brandon Marsh
P: Reid Detmers
3B: Jack Mayfield
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