The Los Angeles Dodgers started their homestand on a positive note and now look to clinch a series win against the Seattle Mariners with Walker Buehler in search of success on an individual level as well.
Buehler is 1-4 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through nine starts in his return from a second Tommy John surgery. He was activated off the 15-day injured list last week after missing time due to right hip inflammation, but continued to struggle.
Given the Mariners are one of the worst offensive teams in baseball, the matchup figures to be an opportunity for Buehler to find his footing. Particularly after watching contact-pitcher Gavin Stone set a career high with 10 strikeouts.
“You look at what Clayton (Kershaw) did, what Gavin did tonight, that’s the formula, regardless of if you pitch to contact,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of getting ahead in the count.
“Gavin did get strikeouts and when you can get ahead, you put a little bit of extra pressure. Walker, his last start, really didn’t do a great job of that and hasn’t done a great job. So for me, looking at acquiring strike one is going to be most important tomorrow.”
Buehler has attempted to integrate various adjustments throughout the year and recognizes his need to improve as the Dodgers have World Series aspirations.
The Mariners counter with Bryce Miller, who enters 9-7 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 24 starts this season. Miller is coming off back-to-back scoreless outings after struggling against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 3.
The right-hander has collected at least six strikeouts in three of his past four starts.
Miller faces a Dodgers lineup that includes Tommy Edman starting at shortstop in his second game with the team. Edman’s Dodgers debut came in center field, where he’ll primarily play.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
SS: Tommy Edman
CF: Kevin Kiermaier
Mariners lineup
CF: Victor Robles
DH: Julio Rodríguez
C: Cal Raleigh
1B: Luke Raley
LF: Randy Arozarena
2B: Jorge Polanco
RF: Mitch Haniger
3B: Josh Rojas
SS: Leo Rivas
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