The Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, which also coincides with the start of Alumni Weekend.
Festivities before the series opener include a pregame ceremony to induct Dusty Baker into the Legends of Dodger Baseball. He’s the eighth member to join the group that is recognized for their contributors to the franchise’s longtime success on the field and with their fans.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” Baker said in a statement. “And, it’s a bit of a surprise, especially for a kid from Riverside that used to listen to all the Dodger games and Vin Scully. All the Dodger greats that I used to copy and emulate, it’s a little strange for me to be up there honored with them.”
Baker played for the Dodgers in parts of eight seasons from 1976-1983, winning two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove. He was named to two National League All-Star teams, the first of which came during the Dodgers’ World Series championship season in 1981.
The Dodgers also planned a Dusty Baker Legends of Dodger Baseball bobblehead giveaway to further commemorate the celebration at Dodger Stadium.
Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty takes the mound for his second start with the Dodgers and first at home. The Burbank, Calif., native is a career 0-1 with a 2.78 ERA in four starts at Dodger Stadium.
Flaherty last pitched there during the 2023 season, when he gave up five runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings and took the loss.
Flaherty had seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings in his Dodgers debut last week.
The Pirates counter with Mitch Keller, who is 10-5 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 22 starts this season. Kelly did not face the Dodgers during their visit to PNC Park in early June.
The right-hander is coming off a strong, albeit rain-shortened start, in which he threw four scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers enter play with their lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West standings down to 2.5 games. They are 3.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
LF: Toescar Hernández
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
SS: Miguel Rojas
3B: Kiké Hernández
RF: Jason Heyward
CF: Andy Pages
Pirates lineup
2B: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF: Bryan Reynolds
SS: Oneil Cruz
DH: Joey Bart
1B: Rowdy Tellez
RF: Bryan De La Cruz
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Michael A. Taylor
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