The Los Angeles Dodgers have some momentum amid what’s been an uneven start this season but face a challenge in the form of the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the best record in the National League and are on a seven-game winning streak.
Michael Busch was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and is in the Dodgers lineup as the designated hitter for his MLB debut. Busch joining the Dodgers was the corresponding roster move to Max Muncy, reigning National League Player of the Week, going on the paternity list.
Busch got off to a blistering start with OKC, hitting .337/.461/.506 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI. He reached base in all 21 games, including 18 with at least one hit.
Busch and the Dodgers face Johan Oviedo, who enters 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Oviedo has been effective for the Pirates through four starts in 2023, collecting 25 strikeouts in 25.1 innings, allowing only six earned runs.
The Dodgers counter with Noah Syndergaard as he looks to continue what’s been a relatively successful first year with the team. Syndergaard is saddled by an 0-3 record and 4.91 ERA that is inflated by allowing six runs in just four innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 8.
Syndergaard otherwise has completed six innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in three of four starts this season.
Syndergaard is going to be backed by a Dodgers bullpen that welcomed the return of Evan Phillips but is without Brusdar Graterol, who also went on paternity leave.
The Dodgers are 5-5 in the last 10 games, and their offense has relied heavily on home runs, but manager Dave Roberts anticipates more regular contact improving throughout the lineup.
The Dodgers offense overall has been wildly inconsistent, ranking 25th in baseball with a .229 batting average and fifth in strikeouts with 220. However, L.A. still ranks second in home runs (43), are tied for fourth overall in runs scored (121) and fourth in team OPS (.787).
Although the Dodgers are without Muncy, James Outman has been a standout performer and early leader in the NL Rookie of the Year race. Outman starts in center field and gets an opportunity to hit cleanup on Tuesday night.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
RF: Jason Heyward
CF: James Outman
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: David Peralta
DH: Michael Busch
3B: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
Pirates lineup
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
2B: Tucupita Marcano
DH: Andrew McCutchen
1B: Carlos Santana
LF: Jack Suwinski
RF: Connor Joe
SS: Rodolfo Castro
CF: Ji Hwan Bae
C: Austin Hedges
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