The Los Angeles Dodgers got back in the win column in their series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, slugging 12 hits to earn an 8-2 victory.
They look to keep that momentum going on Friday night when they send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound to square off against the Braves’ ace this season, right-hander Mike Foltynewicz.
Behind improved health, Kershaw is starting to look like his usual self. Although, he is coming off a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers despite giving up just one earned run in six innings of work.
Overall in 14 starts this season, Kershaw is 3-5 with a 2.64 ERA, 3.22 FIP and 1.09 WHIP while striking out 83 and walking 17 in 81.2 innings of work. Kershaw has dominated the Braves throughout the course of his career, going 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in nine regular-season starts.
Foltynewics is in the midst of an All-Star season for Atlanta, going 7-6 with a 2.85 ERA, 3.39 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in 19 starts. He has an impressive 125 strikeouts compared to just 45 walks in 107.1 innings.
He faced the Dodgers once in his career last July, giving up six hits and three runs in 6.1 innings, earning a victory. The 26-year-old has enjoyed the friendly confines of SunTrust Park this season, going 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in nine starts.
Manny Machado hit his first home run as a Dodger in Thursday’s series opener. He has not quite swung the bat as well as he did in Baltimore yet since coming over in a trade with the Orioles, but is still slashing .258/.361/.452 in seven games with the Dodgers.
Yasmani Grandal is among the hottest hitters in all of baseball. He has hit .407/.529/.796 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 18 games in the month of July.
Kershaw looks to get the better of Braves All-Star first baseman and National League MVP candidate Freddie Freeman, who is 4-for-16 with a home run and eight strikeouts against Kershaw in his career.
Freeman is leading the NL in hitting with a .319 batting average to go along with 17 home runs, 27 doubles and 66 RBI.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Manny Machado
2B: Max Muncy
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Matt Kemp
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Chris Taylor
CF: Alex Verdugo
P: Clayton Kershaw
Braves lineup :
LF: Ronald Acuna Jr.
2B: Ozzie Albies
1B: Freddie Freeman
RF: Nick Markakis
C: Kurt Suzuki
3B: Johan Camargo
CF: Ender Inciarte
SS: Dansby Swanson
P: Mike Foltynewicz
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