For what was considered an inevitability given their season-long dominance, the Los Angeles Dodgers officially clinched a record seventh consecutive National League West title on Tuesday with their 7-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Dodgers became the fastest team in L.A. franchise history to wrap up the division by both date (Sept. 10) and games played (146). Furthermore, the club finished off the NL West by the largest margin in franchise history with an 18-game lead in the division.
The Dodgers are now in position to come away with a series win against the Orioles. Looking to guide them there is Ross Stripling, who makes his 14th start and 29th overall appearance of the season.
The right-hander takes the mound on six days rest, last appearing in a relief appearance against the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 4. He allowed just one hit in what was otherwise two scoreless innings of work.
Stripling’s outing was three days removed from a shortened start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, to which the 29-year-old tossed three shutout innings while accumulating two strikeouts.
Stripling enters with an overall 4-4 record, 3.42 ERA, 3.78 FIP and 1.14 WHIP in 81.2 innings pitched this season. As a starter, he owns a 2-3 mark, 3.38 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 62 strikeouts against 13 walks over 64 frames.
Against Interleague opponents this season, Stripling is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 12.2 innings pitched (two games; one start). Wednesday marks his first career start against the Orioles.
Baltimore counters with left-hander John Means, who was the organization’s only representative in the 2019 All-Star Game. In 27 games this season (23 starts), he has compiled a 10-10 record, 3.50 ERA, 4.37 FIP and 1.13 WHIP with 103 strikeouts against 32 walks across 131 innings.
Means was efficient in his last start against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 5, yielding just two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Over his last four games, he has posted an excellent 2.45 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched.
Means has fared much better at home this season, pitching to a 7-5 record, 2.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 78.2 innings (16 games, 14 starts). That’s compared to a 3-5 showing, 4.47 ERA and 1.36 WHIP showing on the road (11 appearances, nine starts).
Justin Turner again is not in the Dodgers lineup as he continues to manage a sore left ankle. An X-ray came back negative but Turner may undergo an MRI.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: A.J. Pollock
1B: David Freese
RF: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Kiké Hernandez
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Will Smith
3B: Jedd Gyorko
C: Austin Barnes
Orioles lineup:
SS: Jonathan Villar
3B: Hanser Alberto
LF: Anthony Santander
RF: Trey Mancini
DH: Dwight Smith Jr.
C: Pedro Severino
1B: Chris Davis
CF: Austin Hays
2B: Stevie Wilkerson
