The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided falling under .500 behind a thrilling walk-off win and now look to take the rubber match from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon.
They do so without Will Smith, who was unavailable the past two games and now has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. Smith has been the No. 3 hitter in the Dodgers lineup this season and losing his production places more stress on what’s been an inconsistent offense.
“It’s a big loss,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “We’re putting a lot of workload on Austin Barnes right now, which he’s accepting, certainly. But to not have Will in the lineup, it’s a big blow. But obviously, his health is most important.”
Trayce Thompson is among those looking to help make up for not having Smith in the lineup. Since hitting a grand slam off Madison Bumgarner, Thompson is 0-for-11 against left-handed pitching. That’s compared to 5-for-10 against righties.
Thompson and the Dodgers were confident he would get back to hitting southpaws after having reverse splits last season, and Roberts intends to continue providing him with ample opportunities.
“I’m going to keep running him out there, and bet that the results will line up,” Roberts said.
Meanwhile, Julio Urías is on the mound for his fourth start. Urías has logged six innings in every outing thus far in 2023, going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP.
“It starts with No. 7,” Roberts said of how to build momentum from their walk-off win. “We’ve got Julio going and he’s been throwing the baseball really well, so I like our chances.”
The Cubs counter with Drew Smyly, who looks to continue trending in the right direction after a rough first start. After allowing seven runs (six earned) to the Seattle Mariners, Smyly followed that by holding the Cincinnati Reds to one run his last time out.
Smyly is a career 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in seven games (five starts) against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are wearing their blue Nike City Connect uniform for the first time this season. However, it features a new look as the jersey is paired with white pants that have a blue stripe down the sides.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
CF: Trayce Thompson
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: James Outman
SS: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
Cubs lineup
2B: Nico Hoerner
SS: Dansby Swanson
LF: Ian Happ
RF: Seiya Suzuki
1B: Trey Mancini
3B: Patrick Wisdom
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Yan Gomes
DH: Luis Torrens
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