The Los Angeles Dodgers began their four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a sour note, with Rich Hill allowing his first runs with Los Angeles in a 7-3 loss. Hill also involved in an exchange with Archie Bradley, which led to benches clearing and both teams being warned.
Friday’s matchup is a rematch as Kenta Maeda faces off against Zack Greinke for the second time this month. The Dodgers tagged Greinke for a career-high five home runs in his first start at Dodger Stadium since signing with the Diamondbacks.
Conversely, Maeda at one point retired 18 in a row after Chris Owings’ leadoff single in the first inning. The right-hander permitted just one run on three hits and had eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.
Despite only allowing three runs (two earned) to the Miami Marlins over six innings, Maeda is coming off a loss. He’s 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in five starts against the Diamondbacks this season.
Included in that is a 1-1 record and 6.52 ERA in two starts at Chase Field. However, Maeda allowed just three runs (two earned) in the victory; he was charged with five runs in the loss.
On the season, the rookie is 14-9 with a 3.28 ERA, 3.54 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. The Dodgers have won eight of Maeda’s past 11 starts. He leads the team with 28 starts and 159 innings pitched.
Maeda’s transition to the Majors has largely been seamless, with the 28-year-old recently going so far as to say he he feels much better now than he did at the beginning of the season.
Greinke is also coming off a loss, which was an outing in which he struggled with command. Greinke issued a season-high four walks and allowed three runs on six hits.
On June 13 at Chase Field, the three-time All-Star allowed just two runs on seven hits in seven innings pitched against the Dodgers. But in his 12 starts at home this season, Greinke is 5-4 with a 5.08 and 1.39 WHIP.
For comparison, he’s is 7-2 on the road with a 4.01 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Overall this season, Greinke is 12-6 with a 4.54 ERA, 4.09 FIP and 1.28 WHIP. Corey Seager is a career 5-for-6 against his former teammate, with one double, two home runs and four RBIs.
Justin Turner is 3-for-8 with a double, one home run and two RBIs. Both players homered off Greinke when they last faced him.
Los Angeles enters play Friday night leading the National League West by four games. Their magic number to clinch the division is 13.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Josh Reddick
LF: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Kenta Maeda
Diamondbacks lineup:
2B: Jean Segura
SS: Chris Owings
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
3B: Jake Lamb
C: Welington Castillo
RF: Yasmany Tomas
LF: Brandon Drury
CF: Mitch Haniger
P: Zack Greinke
