Last Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a six-game losing streak by getting to Milwaukee Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacín early and riding a strong performance from Ross Stripling to a 7-1 win.
They have not lost since.
On Friday, Stripling and Chacín face off for the second time in five days, but under far different circumstances than their previous meeting.
The Dodgers aim to extend their winning streak to six while the Brewers try to figure Stripling out after he only allowed one run over eight innings at Dodger Stadium. It was Stripling’s best outing of the season by far, and ended a string of poor performances by Dodgers starters.
Friday may mark one of Stripling’s final opportunities in the rotation for a while, as he is the most likely candidate to get moved to the bullpen when Rich Hill returns. Though, Hill’s 2019 debut is still a little ways off as the veteran is set to make another rehab start in the Minors.
Chacín, meanwhile, will face the Dodgers for the 28th time in his career, his most appearances against an opponent. Chacín owns a 4.70 ERA and 1.57 WHIP against Los Angeles, numbers not helped by his implosion at Dodger Stadium. Chacín gave up six runs in just 2.1 innings in his start at Dodger Stadium, including a home run to Joc Pederson.
Alex Verdugo returns to the lineup Friday after his two-run bases-loaded single got the scoring started against Chacín in their previous meeting. Verdugo did not start Thursday but still made his presence felt in a big way.
He entered as a pinch-hitter and replaced Pederson in left field in the seventh. The next inning, Verdugo rifled a throw from left field to home plate to nab Hernan Perez, who was trying to score from second base on a single, and preserve the Dodgers’ shutout at the time.
Verdugo said after the game he takes great pride in his defense.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: A.J. Pollock
2B: Max Muncy
RF: Alex Verdugo
C: Austin Barnes
P: Ross Stripling
Brewers lineup:
CF: Lorenzo Cain
RF: Christian Yelich
2B: Mike Moustakas
C: Yasmani Grandal
3B: Travis Shaw
1B: Eric Thames
LF: Ben Gamel
SS: Orlando Arcia
P: Jhoulys Chacín
