After Game 2 of the National League Division Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals was postponed due to rain that never came, the teams now meet Sunday under clear, but windy skies.
The Dodgers are sticking with Rich Hill on the mound, with the southpaw facing his former team in his first postseason start since 2007 when he was a member of the Chicago Cubs. In that NLDS start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Hill allowed three runs on six hits, including one home run, in just three innings.
The 36-year-old went 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA, 2.07 FIP and 0.79 WHIP over six starts with the Dodgers. Hill did not face the Nationals this season, but as noted by Mike Petriello of MLB.com, his high-spin curveball is likely to give them trouble.
Washington gives the ball to Tanner Roark, who said his plan is to attack hitters and not nibble at the corners of the strike zone. Roark faced the Dodgers on June 21 and suffered a tough-luck loss.
He threw seven shutout innings before allowing a three-run homer to Yasmani Grandal in the eighth. Roark was removed with one out in the eighth. Sunday’s start is the first in the postseason of Roark’s career.
He appeared out of the bullpen during the 2014 NLDS, going 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 2.2 innings over two games. The Dodgers’ lineup remains unchanged from Game 1, while the Nationals’ only change is behind the plate with Jose Lobaton starting.
Corey Seager and Justin Turner each hit a home run in Game 1, and the long ball may prove key as the Dodgers went 42-9 during the regular season when hitting at least two home runs in a game. Roark surrendered a career high-tying 17 home runs this season and allowed two homers in four starts.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Josh Reddick
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
LF: Andrew Toles
P: Rich Hill
Nationals lineup:
CF: Trea Turner
RF: Bryce Harper
LF: Jayson Werth
2B: Daniel Murphy
3B: Anthony Rendon
1B: Ryan Zimmerman
SS: Danny Espinosa
C: Jose Lobaton
P: Tanner Roark
