Propelled by Kiké Hernandez’s late-game heroics, the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to six on Friday by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-3. The club is now in position to clinch the series with a win on Saturday at Miller Park.
The Dodgers send Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound for his first start in nearly two weeks. The left-handed is making his way back from a left groin strain sustained in his most recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 8.
Prior to being sidelined with the injury, Ryu was in the midst of an excellent stretch to begin the regular season. In his first three starts, the left-hander compiled a 2-0 record, 3.07 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 14 strikeouts across 14.2 innings pitched.
While some feared that Ryu’s injured list stint would be more prolonged, he managed to return in less than two week’s time. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ultimately decided against sending him on a Minor League rehab assignment, citing rust concerns as a prominent factor.
The Brewers counter with right-hander Chase Anderson, who makes his first start of the 2019 season. He has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen thus far, posting a 4.50 ERA, 5.57 FIP and 1.40 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched (five games).
Having spent the first two seasons of his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Anderson has received a fair share of opportunities against the Dodgers. In four career starts against Los Angeles, he is 1-4 with a 5.02 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 57.1 innings pitched (12 games, 11 starts).
Anderson faces a Dodgers lineup that curiously has Cody Bellinger slotted fifth. He’s hitting back of A.J. Pollock, which the center fielder could benefit from as he looks to get back on track. Meanwhile, Bellinger enters play with a seven-game hitting streak.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
CF: A.J. Pollock
RF: Cody Bellinger
1B: David Freese
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Rocky Gale
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
