After splitting the first two games of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals meet for an early rubber match. The 9:05 a.m PT start is the earliest the Dodgers have had this season.
While Dodgers manager Dave Roberts set his rotation so that Bud Norris was the probable for Thursday’s game on an extra day of rest, the ball is instead handed to rookie Julio Urias. Hyun-Jin Ryu landed back on the disabled list, this time because of left elbow tendinitis, which forced Norris to start Wednesday night.
The ripple effect led to Urias getting recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he last pitched July 10, throwing one inning out of the bullpen. Los Angeles intended for Urias to work as a starter and reliever with Oklahoma City as a means of curtailing his workload. Injuries have since dictated otherwise.
Urias’ last appearance with the Dodgers came on July 4 in a shaky outing against the Baltimore Orioles. The 19-year-old pitched just 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits in a no-decision.
On the season, Urias is 1-2 with a 4.95 ERA, 3.56 FIP, and 1.54 WHIP over eight starts. He’s averaging an impressive 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings, but also 4.2 walks per nine. Stephen Strasburg gets his first look at the Dodgers, one month after it was initially expected.
Strasburg was scratched from his start at Dodger Stadium on June 20, robbing viewers of a marquee matchup against Clayton Kershaw. The Nationals’ right-hander is the fifth pitcher since 1956 to begin a season 13-0.
He sports a 2.51 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 0.99 WHIP and his 6.28 hits allowed per nine innings this season is third best in the National League, trailing only Kershaw and the recently-traded Drew Pomeranz.
Strasburg held the Pittsburgh Pirates to one run over eight innings in his last outing, and has allowed one run or less in each of his last four starts. The 28-year-old last faced the Dodgers in May 2014.
He delivered 7.1 strong innings, allowed two runs on seven hits and had six strikeouts to earn the win at home. In four career starts against the Dodgers, Strasburg is 1-0 with an impressive 1.71 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
Charlie Culberson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to clear room for Urias. Los Angeles also called up relief pitcher Grant Dayton and optioned Zach Walters.
Corey Seager is out of the lineup a third consecutive game, because of a stomach virus, which leaves Chris Taylor starting at shortstop. Other changes in the Dodgers lineup include Adrian Gonzalez batting third for the first time since June 8, and Justin Turner cleanup for the first time since May 4.
It’s the 14th time Gonzalez has hit third this season, and the ninth time Turner is in the cleanup spot. Elsewhere, Andrew Toles starts in place of Yasiel Puig in right field.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
LF: Howie Kendrick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Joc Pederson
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Andrew Toles
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Julio Urias
Nationals lineup:
2B: Trean Turner
CF: Michael A. Taylor
1B: Daniel Murphy
RF: Bryce Harper
3B: Anthony Rendon
C: Wilson Ramos
LF: Chris Heisey
SS: Danny Espinosa
P: Stephen Strasburg
