After avoiding their first three-game losing streak of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers now are in position to wrap up another series win. Like for Walker Buehler on Tuesday night, Clayton Kershaw makes a second consecutive start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He allowed one hit and threw six scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium last week, improving to 5-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.50 through six starts. Kershaw’s third time facing the Diamondbacks this year comes where his 2020 debut took place.
In that Aug. 2 outing, he scattered three hits and had six strikeouts over 5.2 shutout innings. The start was indicative of what was to come from the longtime Dodgers ace, who has pitched his way into the National League Cy Young Award conversation.
Kershaw is a lifetime 18-10 with a 2.69 ERA in 35 starts against the Diamondbacks but has historically struggled at Chase Field, where he’s just 7-9 with a 3.88 ERA in 18 career starts.
Kershaw is opposed by Taylor Clarke, who has taken the place of the injured Merrill Kelly in the Diamondbacks’ rotation. Clarke is 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA heading into his fourth start of the season and 10th game overall.
The right-hander faced L.A. out of the bullpen on Aug. 1., when he threw three innings and allowed a three-run homer to Chris Taylor. In six career appearances (three starts) against the Dodgers, Clarke is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA.
MLB is celebrating Roberto Clemente Day, which this year comes with all Puerto Rican players being permitted to wear No. 21 in honor of the late Pittsburgh Pirates legend. For the Dodgers, that applies to Kiké Hernandez and Edwin Rios.
In addition to the Puerto Rican players wearing No. 21, all teams have been provided commemorative “21” patches to be worn on their jerseys during Roberto Clemente Day games.
As for the award in his honor, Justin Turner is the Dodgers’ nominee for a third time in the pat four years. Turner credited his wife Kourtney for being recognized as a candidate to win the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Chris Taylor
1B: Cody Bellinger
3B: Max Muncy
CF: AJ Pollock
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Kiké Hernandez
Diamondbacks lineup
CF: Tim Locastro
SS: Nick Ahmed
1B: Christian Walker
DH: Eduardo Escobar
2B: Josh Rojas
3B: Wyatt Mathisen
LF: Daulton Varsho
C: Carson Kelly
RF: Jon Jay
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