For the second time in as many weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making progress toward completing a sweep of the New York Mets. First L.A. tries to extend their winning streak against a familiar face in Rich Hill.
The start on Saturday is Hill’s first at Dodger Stadium since departing in free agency after the 2019 season. In five appearances (four starts) since being acquired by the Mets from the Tampa Bay Rays last month, Hill has pitched to a 4.98 ERA, 4.60 FIP and 1.39 WHIP over 21.2 innings.
Hill is coming off a short outing against the San Francisco Giants in which he logged only 3.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Hill makes only the second start of his career against the Dodgers and his first since 2007. A member of the Chicago Cubs at the time, he allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings.
Hill spent parts of four seasons with the Dodgers from 2016-19, compiling a 30-16 record, 3.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 361.1 innings across 69 games. A fan favorite during his time in L.A., he received a video tribute and nice ovation from the Dodger Stadium faithful on Thursday.
The Dodgers counter with Max Scherzer, who makes his fourth start with the team since being acquired from the Washington Nationals at the MLB trade deadline. He has been a nice addition to the rotation thus far, going 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA, 1.70 FIP and 0.92 WHIP in 16.1 innings.
Scherzer was efficient in his last start against the Mets at Citi Field last week, yielding only two runs on four hits over six innings with seven strikeouts. That was despite the Dodgers playing sloppy defense behind him, which manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment with.
The three-time Cy Young Award for his career owns a 13-5 record, 2.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 205 strikeouts in 156 innings against the Mets (25 games, 24 starts).
After being scratched from the lineup in Friday’s opener due to back spasms, AJ Pollock is starting, batting cleanup and playing left field. With the left-handed Hill on the mound, Albert Pujols also gets a start at first base.
Meanwhile, Justin Turner is out of the lineup. Starting at third base in his place is Max Muncy.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
3B: Max Muncy
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: AJ Pollock
SS: Corey Seager
RF: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
P: Max Scherzer
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