The Los Angeles Dodgers had their 10-game winning streak and stretch of consecutive games with a home run snapped at 17 in Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Dodger Stadium portion of the annual Freeway Series concludes with Kenta Maeda making another spot start.
In 13 games (11 starts) this season Maeda has gone 5-3 with a 4.62 ERA, 4.15 FIP and 1.19 WHIP. He has 65 strikeouts to 18 walks over 62.1 innings pitched. Maeda has been left without a role in recent weeks, as struggles led to him being demoted to the bullpen.
The right-hander has an opportunity to reclaim a spot in the rotation in light of Brandon McCarthy being placed on the 10-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right knee.
Maeda faced the Angels once last season, in a start that did not go well. He allowed four runs on five hits in just four innings and suffered the loss. Yunel Escobar, who bats third for the Angels Tuesday, went 1-for-2 against Maeda in that game.
Opposing Maeda for the Angels is Jesse Chavez. It marks a second consecutive night in which the Dodgers face a former teammate. The 33-year-old is 5-7 with a 5.15 ERA, 5.51 FIP and 1.37 WHIP in 16 games (15 starts) this season. He has 64 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85.2 innings.
Chavez was acquired by the Dodgers from the Toronto Blue Jays at the non-waiver trade deadline last season. In 23 appearances for Los Angeles, he yielded a 4.21 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Trayce Thompson gets the start in right field and bats eighth for the Dodgers in what is his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Thompson hit .211/.273/.377 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 62 games with OKC.
Dodgers regulars Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner, Corey Seager and Yasiel Puig are all out of the Dave Roberts’ lineup. Seager is nursing a Grade 1 hamstring strain, while Puig is suffering from knee/hamstring trouble.
Roberts said both players are available off the bench, though it’s possible Seager ultimately winds up on the disabled list.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Logan Forsythe
LF: Chris Taylor
1B: Cody Bellinger
C: Austin Barnes
CF: Joc Pederson
SS: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Trayce Thompson
P: Kenta Maeda
Angels lineup:
CF: Eric Young Jr.
RF: Kole Calhoun
3B: Yunel Escobar
1B: Luis Valbuena
SS: Andrelton Simmons
LF: Ben Revere
C: Martin Maldonado
2B: Cliff Pennington
P: Jesse Chavez
