After overcoming a deficit and withstanding two rally attempts by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Los Angeles Dodgers now look to secure a series win at Dodger Stadium.
With the Dodgers needing a win to avoid a split at home with the Pirates, Julio Urías takes the mound in search of improvement on a personal level. After missing six weeks due to a left hamstring strain, his first game back against the Kansas City Royals saw Urías give up five earned runs over just three innings pitched.
For the season, Urías is 5-5 with a 4.94 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. After a 2022 season where Urías led the league in ERA and ERA+, he is trying to get back to form. The last time the southpaw faced the Pirates in April, he was tagged for six earned runs over 5.2 innings.
One key to improving could be Urías getting better results with his fastball and changeup combination. Hitters have feasted on the changeup, batting .371 against it. Urías’ fastball has not fared much better, as opponents have a .292 batting average against that.
The Pirates counter with Johan Oviedo, who is 3-9 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. The Dodgers faced the right-hander back in April when he gave up four earned runs in 5.1 innings. Oviedo too is coming off of a tough performance. He gave up eight earned runs in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Oviedo’s fastball has given him problems this season, as hitters are batting .336 against it while slugging .538. Look for the Dodgers to lay off his curveball, as hitters are batting only .136 against it.
The Dodgers lineup has continued to produce at a high level, scoring 64 runs over their last 10 games. However, the have gone only 5-5 in that span, giving up 51 runs.
After struggling a bit over his last two weeks, J.D. Martinez’s three-run home run on Wednesday may have woken up his bat. He has 20 homers and has posted an on-base plus slugging of .849 for the season.
Prior to the game the Dodgers placed Daniel Hudson on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, and recalled Nick Robertson. Yency Almonte was also put on paternity leave, with Alex Vesia taking his spot on the active roster.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
3B: Max Muncy
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: David Peralta
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
C: Austin Barnes
Pirates lineup
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF: Bryan Reynolds
RF: Henry Davis
DH: Carlos Santana
1B: Connor Joe
CF: Jack Suwinski
SS: Nick Gonzales
2B: Rodolfo Castro
C: Jason Delay
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
