The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the second game of their series with the Washington Nationals and now look to avoid being swept in the finale of their homestand.
L.A. enters Wednesday’s matchup 4.5 games ahead of the New York Mets with a National League-leading 64-32 record. Furthermore, the Dodgers still a maintain a comfortable 10.5-game lead in the NL West over the San Diego Padres despite falling the past two nights to the last-place Nationals.
Andrew Heaney makes his first start since June 19, after a left shoulder strain forced him to miss another month of the season. Heaney joined Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and the Arizona Complex League team for a pair of rehab assignments prior to getting activated off the 15-day injured list.
On the season, Heaney is 1-0 with a 0.59 ERA, and a 2.16 FIP in 15.1 innings pitched. After signing a one-year $8.5 million contract with the Dodgers this past offseason, the club reworked his pitch usage and seemed to unlock a bit of what made the southpaw a highly-touted prospect early in his big league career.
Heaney will likely be operating on a limit of around 75 pitches per outing going forward. Manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers believe that plan will help with durability issues Heaney has dealt with.
Washington sends Patrick Corbin to the mound, and he enters play with a 6.02 ERA that is the worst of any qualified starter. The left-hander has allowed eight or more hits in each of his prior four starts, and his 142 hits allowed are the most in MLB.
Corbin has a record of 4-13 this season, and in 104.2 innings pitched he has allowed a league-high 81 runs.
The Dodgers welcome back Justin Turner to the lineup in his first game since July 21 after dealing with abdominal/ribcage discomfort.
Trea Turner extended his hitting streak which now stands at 13 games, and with Corbin allowing a .313 batting average to opposing hitters, the Dodgers offense could use a bit of a spark given their inability to hit with runners in scoring position this series.
Jake Reed was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and the Dodgers optioned Mitch White and Garrett Cleavinger.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Will Smith
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Trayce Thompson
2B: Hanser Alberto
C: Austin Barnes
LF: Gavin Lux
Nationals lineup
CF: Victor Robles
2B: César Hernández
RF: Juan Soto
1B: Josh Bell
DH: Nelson Cruz
LF: Lane Thomas
SS: Luis García
3B: Maikel Franco
C: Tres Barrera
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