The Los Angeles Dodgers evened their series with the Baltimore Orioles to set up a rubber match between two of the top teams in MLB on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.
Bobby Miller takes the mound for the Dodgers and looks to build on an encouraging outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. He recorded his first quality start since March 29 by allowing three runs in six innings pitched.
“That was definitely a lot of weight off my shoulders for now,” Miller said after the game. “I’ve felt a lot of weight on my shoulders recently, it’s been really tough mentally lately.
“But that was a huge confidence booster for me. Pretty good lineup too, they were swinging a lot. Just feels like the couple mistake pitches are the big punisher right now. But I was able to really lock it in after that.”
Miller has struggled in his sophomore season, going just 1-3 with a 7.49 ERA, 6.35 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 39.2 innings pitched over nine starts.
The Orioles counter with Cade Povich, who has similarly struggled in his rookie campaign. He enters at 1-6 with a 6.10 ERA, 5.90 FIP and 1.62 WHIP in 48.2 innings pitched across 10 starts this year.
The left-hander gave up five runs and eight hits in a no-decision against the Houston Astros on Aug. 23.
The Dodgers are going with all their backups and platoon players in the lineup as Freddie Freeman remains out due to the hairline fracture on his right middle finger. Kiké Hernández is once again starting at first base.
Austin Barnes was also activated off the 10-day injured list and gets the start, as the Dodgers planned heading into the game.
Max Muncy gets a day off against a lefty as the Dodgers remain cautious with him after he returned from his oblique issue.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
LF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: Tommy Edman
SS: Miguel Rojas
1B: Kiké Hernández
3B: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes
Orioles lineup
LF: Colton Cowser
C: Adley Rutschman
SS: Gunnar Henderson
RF: Anthony Santander
1B: Ryan O’Hearn
DH: Eloy Jimenez
CF: Cedric Mullins
3B: Ramon Urías
2B: Jackson Holliday
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