Dodgers Vs. Rays Game Preview: Chance For Series Win & .500 Road Trip; Peacock Stream

The Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their 10-game road trip with a rubber match against the Tampa Bay Rays after splitting the first two meetings of the series at Tropicana Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:35 a.m. PT because the game is being streamed exclusively on Peacock. The “MLB Sunday Leadoff Pregame” show begins at 8 a.m.

The broadcast includes a familiar voice, however, as Orel Hershiser will be in the booth as an analyst, alongside play-by-play man Brendan Burke and analyst Brian Anderson.

In addition, James Outman will be mic’d up to talk with the MLB Sunday Leadoff booth during the game. However, Outman is not in the Dodgers lineup for a second consecutive game.

The Peacock stream also is going to feature a special camera that showcases the live view from the home plate umpire’s perspective.

Gavin Stone takes the mound for the Dodgers in his third start of the season. Stone has not had much success in his first two outings, but remains one of the most promising pitching prospects in baseball.

Stone has thrown eight innings so far, posting a 10.13 ERA with just two strikeouts. He has faced two tough lineups in the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, and that challenge does not get any easier against the Rays.

The right-hander did settle down after a shaky first inning against the Braves, when he allowed four runs but still managed to pitch just four innings.

The Rays are utilizing an opener with Josh Fleming set to start the game. Fleming is 1-0 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 10 games (two starts) so far in 2023. The southpaw has thrown 42.2 innings this season but struck out just 21 batters.

Fleming last pitched six innings while giving up two earned runs against the Toronto Blue Jays, and in his last seven games, he has pitched to a 2.78 ERA in 32.1 innings.

With a left-hander expected to pitch the majority of the game, the Dodgers have gone with a right-handed heavy lineup, giving starts to Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson, along with inserting Austin Barnes into the lineup to spell Will Smith for the early start.

Thompson is mired in an 0-for-39 drought that includes 23 strikeouts. Freddie Freeman enters play on a 16-game hitting streak and J.D. Martinez has hit safely in 11 straight.

Dodgers lineup

RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: Trayce Thompson
C: Austin Barnes