In the midst of a season-best five-game winning streak and an MLB-best 21-6 record since May 17, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in position to complete a series sweep of the San Francisco Giants. They enter play on Sunday a mere 1.5 games back of first place in the National League West.
Caleb Ferguson takes the mound for only his third career start, looking to build off an encouraging outing. He went just 1.2 innings in his MLB debut but bounced back to get through four innings against the Texas Rangers.
Ferguson allowed two runs on five hits in that outing, a game the Dodgers went on to win in a rout. Ferguson still sports an inflated 9.53 ERA and 2.12 WHIP.
He’s opposed by Chris Stratton, who faces the Dodgers for a fourth time. He allowed three runs over 5.1 innings at Dodger Stadium in a loss on April 1, then gave up three runs (two earned) in a game six days later at AT&T Park that the Giants won.
Stratton then was knocked around in the first game of a doubleheader, surrendering six runs in just 1.1 innings pitched. He issued four walks in that outing. Overall this season, the right-hander is 7-4 with a 4.56 ERA, 4.24 FIP and 1.40 WHIP in 14 starts.
Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and shortstop Chris Taylor both get the day off against the right-hander Stratton. Kemp is not dropping the appeal of his one-game suspension for his role in the benches-clearing incident against the Texas Rangers, he is just getting a day of rest before the upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs.
Joc Pederson and Max Muncy both return to the Dodgers lineup, hitting in the top two spots. Both players have been on a tear in the month of June, with Pederson hitting seven home runs and Muncy right behind him with six.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Yasiel Puig
SS: Kiké Hernández
2B: Logan Forsythe
P: Caleb Ferguson
Giants lineup:
CF: Gorkys Hernandez
1B: Brandon Belt
RF: Andrew McCutchen
C: Nick Hundley
SS: Brandon Crawford
LF: Mac Williamson
3B: Pablo Sandoval
2B: Alen Hanson
P: Chris Stratton
As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The updated Privacy & Cookies Policy will take effect on May 22, 2018. By using our services on or after that date, you’ll be agreeing to our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy. We recommend that you read our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy in full.
