The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their first two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and now look to avoid being swept in Wednesday’s series finale at Dodger Stadium.
The Pirates’ last sweep at Dodger Stadium came Sept. 4-6, 2000. They more recently swept the Dodgers in a series at PNC Park from Aug. 7-9, 2015.
Mitch White takes the mound for his eighth appearance and third start of the season. The right-hander is coming off his best outing of the season that saw him toss four scoreless innings and collect two strikeouts against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“I think Mitchell has continued to gain more confidence. If you look back at his starts, there’s a couple throws that I think he’d like to have back,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“But as far as the whole body of work and what he’s giving every single time out there, it’s really good. He’s a four-pitch guy, I love the head, love the pulse. It’s really good knowing that he’s built up to five (innings) and 75 (pitches) to give us some length. He’s a confident pitcher right now.”
White threw 7.1 shutout innings in his only start against the Pirates last year. He has struggled at home this season, posting a 7.71 ERA in three games compared to a 3.27 ERA in four appearances on the road.
Pittsburgh counters with José Quintana, who is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career. He enters at 1-2 with a 2.15 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in 46 innings pitched (nine starts).
Quintana allowed two unearned runs on four hits in 5.1 innings in his last start against the San Diego Padres on May 27.
In his career against the Dodgers, Quintana owns a 2-1 record, 1.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 40 strikeouts across 44.2 innings pitched (10 games, seven starts).
Cody Bellinger again is not in the Dodgers lineup due to a left adductor strain, but manager Dave Roberts said he is available off the bench.
Chris Taylor is in the lineup, which the Dodgers largely expected despite hitting his right elbow while crashing into the fence on Tuesday night.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
DH: Justin Turner
CF: Chris Taylor
3B: Hanser Alberto
C: Austin Barnes
LF: Kevin Pillar
2B: Gavin Lux
Pirates lineup
3B: Ke’Bryan Hayes
CF: Bryan Reynolds
1B: Michael Chavis
2B: Josh VanMeter
SS: Diego Castillo
RF: Cal Mitchell
DH: Yu Chang
LF: Tucupita Marcano
C: Tyler Heneman
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
