Preview: Alex Wood Looks To Keep Winning Streak Alive As Dodgers Begin Series With Pirates
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Dodgers now face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game set. The Dodgers enter play a disappointing 3-4 on their homestand thus far.

Los Angeles faces a Pirates team they took two of three games from at PNC Park in early June. None of those were started by Alex Wood, who takes the mound for his 17 start this season. Wood is 4-5 with a 4.00 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.16 WHIP.

Wood has rebounded from what was described as the worst stretch of his career to allow two earned runs or fewer in each of his past four outings. Included in that is a modest three-game winning streak.

Wood is coming off his second-longest start (seven innings) this season, which was against the Chicago Cubs.

The Pirates counter with Nick Kingham, who joined the team from Triple-A Indianapolis for his first MLB start since June 9. Kingham was 2-3 with a 3.82 ERA, 3.37 FIP and 0.99 WHIP in six starts before being sent to the Minors.

He faces a Dodgers lineup that continues to be led by Matt Kemp and Max Muncy, though it’s Joc Pederson in the leadoff spot.

Since getting swept by the Atlanta Braves in a four-game series, the Pirates have won three of their last five.

Dodgers lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
LF: Matt Kemp
C: Yasmani Grandal
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Alex Wood

Pirates lineup:

CF: Austin Meadows
2B: Josh Harrison
RF: Gregory Polanco
C: Elias Diaz
3B: Colin Moran
1B: David Freese
LF: Corey Dickerson
SS: Jorday Mercer
P: Nick Kingham

As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The updated Privacy & Cookies Policy will take effect on May 22, 2018. By using our services on or after that date, you’ll be agreeing to our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy. We recommend that you read our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy in full.