The Los Angeles Dodgers opened a nine-game homestand by defeating the Atlanta Braves and now can extend multiple streaks with another victory Tuesday night. Doing so will mark a ninth consecutive win at Dodger Stadium and guarantee the Dodgers don’t lose a series to the Braves since July 2015.
With a 13-4 record at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the best home record in the National League. L.A. enters play leading the NL in runs scored (196), wins (23) and winning percentage (.622).
They turn to Hyun-Jin Ryu, who last faced the Braves in Game 1 of the 2018 NLDS when he tossed seven scoreless innings to earn a win. Ryu hasn’t faced Atlanta during the regular season since Aug. 13, 2014, and is 0-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three starts.
Overall this season, he is 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA, 3.31 WHIP, 0.91 WHIP and 39 strikeouts against two walks across 35.1 innings in six starts. He’s hardly missed a beat since returning from a strained groin, going 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA over three stars.
The Braves counter with Santa Monica, Calif., native Max Fried. The southpaw makes his homecoming in the midst of a strong season. After consecutive appearances out of the bullpen, Fried has made six starts and is a combined 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA.
Fried is just two days removed from appearing as a pinch-runner and scoring the game-winning run from first base in the 10th inning against the Miami Marlins. Fried’s sprint home included stumbling after rounding third base and going head-first into home plate.
The Dodgers made some changes to their lineup to combat facing a left-hander but still have Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Alex Verdugo starting. Though, Bellinger and Muncy have largely been treated as everyday players this season, and Verdugo is seeing more time with A.J. Pollock out.
Bellinger’s start on Monday was his first after being out of the lineup two straight games because of soreness from dislocating his right shoulder. Bellinger’s lone hit in five at-bats was a bunt single.
While he’s coming off a quiet, Bellinger has torn the cover off the ball at Dodger Stadium this season. In 16 games, he’s batting .433/.500/.900 with nine home runs and 22 RBI, has reached safely in each contest and recorded at least one hit in 15 of those.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
1B: David Freese
SS: Chris Taylor
2B: Max Muncy
C: Russell Martin
LF: Alex Verdugo
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Braves lineup:
2B: Ozzie Albies
3B: Josh Donaldson
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Ronald Acuña Jr.
RF: Nick Markakis
SS: Dansby Swanson
C: Tyler Flowers
CF: Ender Inciarte
P: Max Fried