The Los Angeles Dodgers look to get back on track in the second of a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks have won six of seven head-to-head meetings against the Dodgers this season, and 12 of their last 13 regular season games dating back to 2017. That also includes a record seven consecutive contests at Chase Field.
Clayton Kershaw looks to play stopper for the Dodgers, as he makes his seventh start of the season. Entering play on Tuesday, he owns a 2.84 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.13 WHIP over 38 innings with 42 strikeouts to nine walks.
In his last outing against the Miami Marlins, Kershaw allowed five hits, three earned runs and tied a career-high with six walks across five innings while striking out seven.
Kershaw has fared well in his career at Chase Field, pitching to a 3.52 ERA over 87 innings (14 starts) with 104 strikeouts to 29 walks. In his first road start of the season at the ballpark, he yielded just five baserunners and two runs across six innings.
Furthermore, Kershaw has been tabbed for only three earned runs against the Diamondbacks this season over 13 innings pitched and two starts (2.08 ERA).
The Diamondbacks counter with swingman Matt Koch, who makes his second start and third overall appearance of the season. In 14 innings pitched, he has posted a 1.93 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 0.86 WHIP with 11 strikeouts to four walks.
The right-hander is coming off an excellent outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, in which he allowed six hits and two earned runs over six innings — earning his first win of the season as a result.
Koch has made just one previous appearance against the Dodgers in his career. That was back in 2016, when he tossed a perfect inning of relief and factored into the decision as the winning pitcher.
Chris Taylor, batting in the leadoff spot, makes his second consecutive start at shortstop in the absence of Corey Seager. He is starting to heat up at the plate, having collected seven hits, including three doubles and one home run in his last 19 at-bats.
Joc Pederson is batting behind him and playing center field. Pederson is also red-hot, slashing .406/.487/.656 with two triples, a home run and 10 RBI in his last 12 games.
Dodgers lineup:
SS: Chris Taylor
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Matt Kemp
2B: Chase Utley
LF: Alex Verdugo
3B: Max Muncy
P: Clayton Kershaw
Diamondbacks lineup:
LF: Daniel Descalso
SS: Nick Ahmed
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
CF: A.J. Pollock
RF: Chris Owings
2B: Ketel Marte
C: Alex Avila
3B: Devin Marrero
P: Matt Koch
