The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs for the first time at Dodger Stadium this season after previously sweeping a three-game series at Wrigley Field in early May.
Tony Gonsolin makes his 16th start of the season and looks to remain undefeated this season as he continues to make his case as one of the National League’s best pitchers.
After becoming the first 10-game winner in the NL this season in his previous start against the San Deigo Padres, and the first Dodgers player since Alex Wood in 2017 to do so, Gonsolin has become a weapon for manager Dave Roberts and the starting rotation.
Among qualified starters with at least 80 innings pitched, Gonsolin holds the lowest ERA in all of Major League Baseball. On the season he is 10-0 with a 1.54 ERA and a 3.29 FIP in 81.2 innings.
Gonsolin has surrendered a .156 batting average to opposing hitters and in his six starts since the beginning of June, he is 5-0 with an ERA of 1.23 and a 3.46 FIP.
The Cubs counter with Mark Leiter Jr., who is 2-2 on the season with a 4.85 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched. However, in three starts he’s posted an 8.68 ERA over 9.1 innings while allowing opposing hitters to reach base at a .278 clip.
With a record of 34-48, the Cubs enter play in third place in the NL Central division but have been playing good baseball as of late. They’ve won seven of their last 10 games while taking two of three from the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers are coming off an emotional high from Wednesday’s walk-off victory after Mookie Betts hit a fielder’s choice that brought in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete a sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
The Dodgers hold a run differential of +144 that leads the NL and come into Thursday’s game with a 26-13 record at Dodger Stadium. With the Padres scuffling as of late, L.A. has increased their division lead to six games.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Trayce Thompson
2B: Gavin Lux
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