Behind three straight wins against the St. Louis Cardinals and an overall four-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers can complete a series sweep Sunday night at Busch Stadium. Doing so would ensure they remain in first place in the National League West.
Ross Stripling makes his first start since returning to the rotation on a full-time basis. Stripling made what was initially believed to be a spot start last week, but heading into that outing, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander could take the ball again Sunday.
In 30 games this season, Stripling has posted a solid 2.61 ERA, 3.17 FIP and 1.14 WHIP with 125 strikeouts to 18 walks over 113.2 innings pitched. He takes the mound on short rest and after going 3.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing three hits and one run with four strikeouts.
The All-Star owns a lifetime 1-1 record when facing the Cardinals, having compiled a 4.09 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 11 innings pitched (four games, one start).
St. Louis counters with longtime staple Adam Wainwright, who was recently activated from the 60-day disabled list. He’s made just five previous starts this season, going 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA, 5.94 FIP and 1.74 WHIP in 23 innings of work.
In his first start off the DL, Wainwright logged seven serviceable innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He yielded seven hits and four runs in what amounted to a no-decision, striking out three batters without issuing a free pass.
The 37-year-old has an excellent track record against the Dodgers, accumulating a 5-5 record, 2.69 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 83. 2 innings pitched (15 games, 12 starts). He’s been especially difficult to solve at Busch Stadium, where he owns a career 2.88 ERA compared to a 3.78 ERA on the road.
Yasiel Puig is coming off a first career three-home run performance and has slugged five homers in the past two games. Additionally, Justin Turner reached safely in all five plate appearances on Saturday.
The Dodgers as a team have hit a home run in 23 consecutive games, which is a Los Angeles franchise record and is one shy of matching the club’s all-time record that was set by the 1953 Brooklyn team.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Manny Machado
1B: Max Muncy
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Chase Utley
P: Ross Stripling
Cardinals:
1B: Matt Carpenter
RF: Yairo Munoz
SS: Paul DeJong
LF: Marcell Ozuna
3B: Jedd Gyorko
C: Yadier Molina
2B: Kolten Wong
CF: Harrison Bader
P: Adam Wainwright
