The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak with Monday’s 9-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and now are in position to win another series.
Still without a fifth starter since Dustin May’s injury, the club again turns to a bullpen game. David Price serves an opener for a third time this season.
The left-hander was dominant his last time out on the mound against the San Francisco Giants, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Despite his recent success, the Dodgers currently don’t have plans to move Price into the starting rotation on a regular basis.
“I think right now we just love where he’s at. Taking down one inning, one-plus, having him be more relevant in more games,” manager Dave Roberts recently explained. “In this situation right now, we just need a little bit more.
“The hope is to have Tony come back, slot in that starter role and then get David more relevant and more games each week.”
Tony Gonsolin is making a third rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, and could then join the Dodgers next week to fill the void in the rotation.
In the meantime, Price enters play with a 1-0 record, 3.31 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.35 WHIP in 16.1 innings pitched this season (11 games). His only career appearance against the Cardinals came back in 2015 when he allowed three runs over 6.2 frames.
St. Louis counters with John Gant, who threw five shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox in his last start on May 26. He brings with him into Tuesday’s outing a 4-3 record, 1.81 ERA, 4.06 FIP and 1.57 WHIP in 44.2 innings (nine starts).
While Gant has excelled at limiting runs this season, he has struggled with his command at times, as evidenced by his National League-leading 31 walks. Gant is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in six career appearances against the Dodgers (one start).
Cody Bellinger and Gavin Lux both are out of the lineup for the first time since being activated off the 10-day injured list over the weekend. Albert Pujols starts at first base in a chance to face his former team.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
SS: Gavin Lux
CF: Chris Taylor
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: Matt Beaty
P: David Price
Cardinals lineup
2B: Tommy Edman
CF: Dylan Carlson
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
3B: Nolan Arenado
C: Yadier Molina
LF: Tyler O’Neill
SS: Edmundo Sosa
RF: José Rondón
P: John Gant
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