The Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House Friday morning to celebrate their 2020 World Series title and now continue their series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
L.A. took the rain-shortened opener, 6-2, behind Max Muncy’s go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old finished second to Freddie Freeman in All-Star Game voting but still has a chance to make the National League roster as a reserve.
Julio Urias makes his 17th start of the season and looks to build on one of his best outings all year against the Chicago Cubs. He was tabbed with a no-decision after giving up five hits and two runs in 5.1 innings of work but struck out a season-best 12 batters.
Urias enters with a 9-3 record, 3.95 ERA, 3.49 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 93.1 innings. He earned a win in his only start against the Nationals on April 10, allowing three runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings pitched.
In four career appearances against Washington, Urias is 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 17.2 frames.
The Nationals counter with Max Scherzer, who has shown no signs of slowing down at the age of 36. He’s in the midst of another dominant campaign, entering Friday’s start with a 7-4 record, 2.14 ERA, 3.08 FIP and 0.85 WHIP in 88.1 innings pitched (15 games).
Scherzer took a tough-luck loss against the Dodgers earlier this season on April 11, as he yielded just one run and three hits in six innings with five strikeouts.
The seven-time All-Star owns a 5-5 record, 2.67 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 97 strikeouts in 15 career appearances against L.A. (13 starts).
The Dodgers recalled Brusdar Graterol from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take the spot of Trevor Bauer, who was removed from the active and 40-man rosters with being placed on administrative leave by MLB.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Chris Taylor
LF: Matt Beaty
SS: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes
P: Julio Urias
Nationals lineup
LF: Kyle Schwarber
2B: Josh Harrison
RF: Juan Soto
1B: Ryan Zimmerman
3B: Starlin Castro
C: Yan Gomes
CF: Victor Robles
SS: Humberto Arteaga
P: Max Scherzer
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