The Cincinnati Reds handled the Los Angeles Dodgers behind a big night from Elly De La Cruz on Thursday. It was L.A.’s second consecutive loss, their first time losing two straight in nearly a month (April 19-21).
James Paxton now takes the mound as the Dodgers look to get back on track with three games to go against the Reds.
Paxton has had a fascinating season for the Dodgers thus far. He has a 5-0 record in seven starts and has allowed only 11 earned runs in 38.1 innings of work, a 2.58 ERA. Those stats alone would tell the tale of a pitcher having an incredible season, but a deeper dive shows a different context.
The 35-year-old veteran starter has given up 30 hits and a staggering 24 walks so far this season. He has struck out only 22 batters. He has a 1.409 WHIP and a 4.86 fielding-independent pitching (FIP), but still has a 158 ERA+.
His advanced stats are a mixed bag, but he has kept traffic stranded more often than not, a skill Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been impressed by.
Paxton has his work cut out for him against a talented and young Reds lineup led by De La Cruz. De La Cruz went 4-for-4 with four stolen bases on Friday and accounted for three runs and an RBI out of the Reds seven.
Frankie Montas, meanwhile, gets the start for the Reds. Montas has been solid this seasan, posting a 4.20 ERA and 1.367 WHIP in 30 innings over seven starts. He has a 2-3 record and a 101 ERA+. By nearly every metric, he has hovered around league average for the first near two months of the MLB season.
Montas and Paxton are both in their first years with their respective teams and have made immediate impacts. But for Paxton, his job on Friday carries a bit more pressure as the Dodgers try to avoid their first three-game losing streak in nearly a month.
The Dodgers made numerous roster moves prior to the game, which included activating Jason Heyward, who returns to the lineup. In addition, Miguel Vargas and Ricky Vanasco joined the club from Triple-A.
To make room, Max Muncy was placed on the 10-day injured list while James Outman and Nick Ramirez were optioned.
Dodgers Lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
LF: Teoscar Hernández
2B: Gavin Lux
CF: Andy Pages
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
Reds Lineup
2B: Jonathan India
SS: Elly De La Cruz
LF: Spencer Steer
C: Tyler Stephenson
1B: Jeimer Candelario
DH: Mike Ford
CF: Stuart Fairchild
3B: Santiago Espinal
RF: Will Benson
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