Once in position to play their way to a sixth consecutive National League West title, the Los Angeles Dodgers are no longer afforded such an opportunity. Tuesday’s loss, coupled with the Colorado Rockies picking up a fifth straight win, has the Dodgers’ lead down to a half-game.
Los Angeles now wraps up a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, needing a win to avoid losing two of three at Chase Field. They may find themselves needing to rely on a bullpen game as Ross Stripling makes just his fourth start since returning from the 10-day disabled list.
Stripling has pitched just 3.1 innings in each of his previous three outings. The first instance was related to still stretching back out as a starter, but he was unable to explain the more recent cases of failing to provide any length.
Stripling is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in six games (one start) against the Diamondbacks this season. However, each of those games came before May 3.
Arizona counters with Zack Greinke, who has endured his share of struggles against the Dodgers. Greinke was pitching well at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 31 but a decision to leave him in the game to start the seventh inning backfired.
He surrendered a go-ahead home run to Justin Turner and wound up being tabbed for loss. Greinke enters 14-11 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He’s coming off consecutive losses to the Houston Astros and Rockies.
The Dodgers lineup again is balanced with left- and right-handed batters.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Max Muncy
SS: Manny Machado
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Chris Taylor
P: Ross Stripling
Diamondbacks lineup:
2B: Ketel Marte
3B: Eduardo Escobar
LF: David Peralta
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
RF: Socrates Brito
CF: A.J. Pollock
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Jeff Mathis
P: Zack Greinke
