After taking five of six from the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on the road, the Los Angeles Dodgers return home for the start of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
At 72-46 the Dodgers own the Majors’ second-best record but remain four games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West standings. Despite losing only once in the past week, the club did not gain any ground on their rival.
The Giants went 5-1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies over the same stretch and now conclude their current homestand by taking on the Mets for three games.
Still short on available starting pitchers, the Dodgers are relying on a bullpen game. They will utilize the same strategy on Wednesday as well, with Mitch White expected to pitch the majority of the innings.
First up is Justin Bruihl for his fifth appearance with the Dodgers and first career Major League start. Bruihl previously made a start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 15.
The Dodgers will officially call up Andre Jackson prior to first pitch and he will appear out of the bullpen for his MLB debut.
The Pirates send Steven Brault to the mound for only his third start of the season. He’s been effective in his limited time on the mound thus far, allowing three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts over nine innings of work.
Brault last faced the Dodgers in 2019 but has four career appearances against them. He’s 1-0 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 12.2 innings pitched in those games.
The Dodgers are coming off a late arrival after playing in an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecast, but face a Pirates team they have won 20 of the last 22 games against. L.A. swept Pittsburgh at PNC Park from June 8-10 this year.
Trea Turner makes his first start at shortstop since joining the Dodgers. In addition to Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Will Smith also are getting a night of rest.
The Pirates signed Yoshi Tsutsugo, who spent a portion of this season with the Dodgers, and he is available off the bench against his former club.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Trea Turner
2B: Max Muncy
1B: Albert Pujols
3B: Justin Turner
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Chris Taylor
RF: Billy McKinney
C: Austin Barnes
P: Justin Bruihl
Pirates lineup
SS: Hoy Park
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
CF: Bryan Reynolds
1B: Colin Moran
LF: Ben Gamel
C: Jacob Startlings
RF: Gregory Polanco
2B: Rodolfo Castro
P: Steven Brault
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
