Although the Los Angeles Dodgers have lost three consecutive games, they remain in position to clinch a fifth consecutive National League West title on Wednesday night. They will again need help from the San Diego Padres in order to do so.
If the Dodgers are to snap their losing streak but the Arizona Diamondbacks also win, a possible celebration will be postponed to Thursday. All-Star Alex Wood takes the mound for his 24th start this season, looking to build off a strong outing against the Washington Nationals.
In six scoreless innings, the southpaw limited the NL East champions to just three hits and one walk, while striking out eight batters. There was still a slight dip in his velocity, though Wood believes he’s close to returning to his previous form.
In 13 career appearances (eight starts) against the Phillies, Wood is 3-3 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He twice started at Citizens Bank Park during the 2015 season, and allowed a combined four runs on 13 hits and four walks in 12 innings pitched.
Overall this season, the 26-year-old is 15-3 with a 2.69 ERA, 155 ERA+ and 1.06 WHIP. He’s opposed by Jake Thompson, who looks to add to the Phillies’ recent string of success. Along with back-to-back wins, Philadelphia is 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Thompson pitched his way into the starting rotation after a May call-up. He’s coming 5.1 shutout innings against the Miami Marlins, in which he allowed six hits, walked four and struck out six.
The 23-year-old faced the Dodgers last season, allowing five runs on five hits, including two home runs, in just five innings of work. This year, Thompson is 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA, 96 ERA+ and 1.65 WHIP in nine games (six starts).
Justin Turner is a career 2-for-3 off the righty, with a home run and two RBIs. Adrian Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, Joc Pederson and Corey Seager each have one hit against Thompson. Yasiel Puig returns to the lineup and bats fifth after a night off.
Wood and whichever Dodgers relievers potentially enter the game will look to keep Aaron Altherr inside the park. He has a home run in the past two games, including a grand slam off Clayton Kershaw.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Austin Barnes
LF: Curtis Granderson
2B: Logan Forsythe
P: Alex Wood
Phillies lineup:
2B: Cesar Hernandez
SS: Freddy Galvis
CF: Odubel Herrera
LF: Rhys Hoskins
RF: Aaron Altherr
3B: Maikel Franco
1B: Tommy Joseph
C: Andrew Knapp
P: Jake Thompson
