In the wake of completing a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium for the start of a 10-game homestand and begin a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies.
Walker Buehler makes his sixth start of the season and looks to rebound from a rocky outing against the Miami Marlins. In six innings pitched, he allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) with seven strikeouts compared to two walks.
Buehler enters with a solid 2.67 ERA, 2.21 FIP and 1.15 WHIP over 27 innings with 34 strikeouts and nine walks. In four career appearances against the Rockies out of the bullpen, he owns a 10.13 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 5.1 innings.
Colorado counters with German Marquez, who looks to build on his most recent start against the San Diego Padres. In what was a tough-luck loss, he yielded two runs in five innings while accumulating five strikeouts to just one walk.
Marquez has struggled this season, having posted a 2-5 record with a 5.15 ERA, 4.24 FIP and 1.65 FIP over 43.2 innings (nine starts). He has particularly battled with command issues, as evidenced by his 4.1 walks per nine innings ratio.
Against Los Angeles, Marquez has pitched to a 4.50 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 10 career innings. In his lone start at Dodger Stadium, he allowed two runs and 10 baserunners in four innings pitched — good for a 4.50 ERA and 2.25 WHIP.
Max Muncy is once again batting second for the Dodgers and playing first base. In his last 10 games, he is slashing .333/.424/.704 with two home runs and nine RBI. With Muncy at first, Cody Bellinger will log another start in center field which could become the norm if Muncy continues to produce.
Buehler and the Dodgers are tasked with slowing down Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is in the midst of another strong season batting .331/.418/.567 with eight home runs and 25 RBI. The Southern California native is a career .285 hitter against the Dodgers.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Matt Kemp
SS: Chris Taylor
2B: Chase Utley
P: Walker Buehler
Rockies lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
RF: David Dahl
3B: Nolan Arenado
LF: Gerardo Parra
SS: Trevor Story
1B: Ian Desmond
C: Tony Wolters
2B: Pat Valaika
P: German Marquez
