Propelled by the bats of Brian Dozier and Yasmani Grandal, the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak on Wednesday with a walk-off victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
A win on Thursday would assure a series split for the Dodgers, and they send Clayton Kershaw to the mound for his 16th start of the season. He enters with a 4-5 record, 2.52 ERA, 3.07 FIP and 1.06 WHIP in 89.1 innings pitched this season.
Kershaw looks to build off his most recent outing against the Atlanta Braves on July 27, when he allowed only six hits and one run over a season-high 7.2 innings pitched. He struck out eight batters without issuing a walk on 101 pitches — 71 of them for strikes.
The 30-year-old has historically found success against the Brewers, having compiled a 2.85 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 85.1 innings pitched with 93 strikeouts to 22 walks (13 starts).
Milwaukee counters with Jhoulys Chacin, who impressed in his last start against the San Francisco Giants on July 28. He yielded only three hits and one run in seven innings pitched, accumulating six strikeouts en route to his 10th victory of the year.
In what’s been a solid debut season with the Brewers, Chacin is 10-3 with a 3.45 ERA, 3.91 and 1.19 WHIP across 127.2 innings pitched and a Major League-high 23 starts.
The right-hander has somewhat struggled against the Dodgers over the course of his career, posting a 4.03 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 140.2 frames (25 games, 24 starts).
Justin Turner returns from the disabled list after missing the last two weeks with a right groin strain. Turner forewent a Minor League rehab assignment and instead took part in a three-inning simulated game, to which he felt healthy afterward.
Dozier is in the Dodgers lineup and playing second for the second straight day after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins. He had a memorable debut, going 3-for-4 with a home run.
The Dodgers face the challenge of trying to slow down Brewers leadoff man Lorenzo Cain, who has had a very strong series so far. He is 5-for-13 with a walk in the first three games, while doubling twice, tripling once and scoring a pair of runs.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
SS: Manny Machado
3B: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Brian Dozier
1B: Max Muncy
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Clayton Kershaw
Brewers lineup:
CF: Lorenzo Cain
LF: Christian Yelich
1B: Jesus Aguilar
2B: Jonathan Schoop
RF: Ryan Braun
3B: Travis Shaw
C: Erik Kratz
SS: Orlando Arcia
P: Jhoulys Chacin
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