The Los Angeles Dodgers evened their series against the Washington Nationals with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday night and now look to take the rubber match, which is a rare midday start during the week. Heading into the action, the Dodgers are -280 favorites on American and Canadian betting sites.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation was expected to be a major strength this season, but it has struggled to find consistency recently. Injuries and an overworked bullpen have resulted in many roster moves for fresh arms, giving Landon Knack an opportunity to make his MLB debut.
Knack was among the names in the mix to be the Dodgers’ fifth starter; however, he was on the outside looking in for most of Spring Training and ultimately lost out to Gavin Stone. Knack was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series but didn’t appear in a game and was among the pitchers optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City before the domestic portion of the 2024 schedule began.
Jake Irvin takes the mound for the Nationals for his fourth start of the season. Irvin possesses a four-pitch arsenal and doesn’t overly rely on a four-seam fastball.
He mixes in a heavy dose of curveballs and a decent amount of sinkers. Irvin will occasionally throw a cutter, but that is the pitch hitters have hit well this season, with a .375 batting average and 1.000 slugging percentage.
Irvin has a 4.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 17 innings this season.
He faces a Dodgers lineup that includes Andy Pages making a second consecutive start since getting recalled for his MLB debut. Pages collected a hit in his first at-bat and is expected to get opportunities against both right- and left-handed pitching while up with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers optioned Eduardo Salazar before the game to make room for Knack on the active roster.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: James Outman
RF: Andy Pages
2B: Gavin Lux
Nationals lineup
SS: CJ Abrams
LF: Jesse Winker
RF: Lane Thomas
2B: Luis García Jr.
1B: Joey Meneses
DH: Joey Gallo
3B: Nick Senzel
CF: Eddie Rosario
C: Riley Adams
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