The Los Angeles Dodgers look to remain perfect against the Cincinnati Reds in their fifth head-to-head meeting this season. The previous four games have all come within the past eight days.
Just like Alex Wood faced the Reds a second time in as many starts, now Hyun-Jin Ryu follows suit. He allowed four runs on six hits, including three home runs, in just four innings in the June 11 start. Ryu did not factor into the decision.
The shaky outing was largely par for course this season. Ryu’s struggles led to his first career relief appearance, which amounted to a four-inning save.
Ryu allowed just one run over six innings in his return to the rotation, but has allowed a combined eight runs in 11 innings over his past two starts.
One silver lining is some improvement in command. The 30-year-old has 13 strikeouts and one walk in 17 innings across his last three starts.
Ryu has one previous start at Great American Ball Park, where he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in a loss. In four career outings against the Reds, Ryu is 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. Overall this season, he’s 2-6 with a 4.42 ERA, 5.19 FIP and 1.35 WHIP.
The Reds counter with Asher Wojciechowski, who allowed four runs on six hits in five innings when he faced the Dodgers on June 10. The 28-year-old has been a fixture in the rotation after a pair of relief appearances in May.
Wojciechowski hasn’t received a decision in his past four games (three starts). He enters 1-0 with a 5.21 ERA, 5.29 FIP and 1.26 WHIP.
Cody Bellinger, who had six home runs in his previous five games entering the series, is 1-for-2 against Wojciechowski, with a solo home run. Chase Utley is 2-for-3 against the Reds starter, with a double and RBI.
Devin Mesoraco will look to continue tormenting the Dodgers, as he’s hit one home run in each of the three games played against them thus far.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
LF: Chris Taylor
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
3B: Logan Forsythe
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Reds lineup:
CF: Billy Hamilton
SS: Zack Cozart
1B: Joey Votto
LF: Adam Duvall
3B: Eugenio Suarez
RF: Scott Schebler
2B: Jose Peraza
C: Devin Mesoraco
P: Asher Wojchiechowski
