A road trip that began in disappointing fashion can take on a positive spin Sunday if the Los Angeles Dodgers are able to complete a series sweep of the Washington Nationals. A win would be the Dodgers’ fourth in a row and give them a 4-2 record on the six-game journey out east.
In looking to do so, Los Angeles hands the ball to Alex Wood who is still in search of his first win of the season. Wood enters 0-4 in nine starts, with a 3.35 ERA, 2.54 FIP and 1.06 WHIP; the Dodgers are 4-5 in his games.
While Wood has yet to pick up a win, he’s allowed one earned run in each of his past three outings. The Dodgers lineup showed some signs of life in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader, which would be a welcomed sight for Wood.
But after squeaking two runs off Max Scherzer, the Dodgers now face the tall order of providing run support against Stephen Strasburg.
He’s 5-3 with a 3.28 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.03 WHIP, and has won his last three decisions. Strasburg has completed at least six innings in all nine starts this season, including seven in two of his past three.
Max Muncy, who’s 3-for-6 with a double, one home run and four RBI in the series, again starts at first base but now finds himself leading off. Muncy said he’s more comfortable playing that position than over at third base, where he was helping fill in for Justin Turner.
Dodgers lineup:
1B: Max Muncy
CF: Cody Bellinger
3B: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
LF: Matt Kemp
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Logan Forsythe
SS: Kiké Hernandez
P: Alex Wood
Nationals lineup:
SS: Trea Turner
RF: Bryce Harper
3B: Anthony Rendon
1B: Mark Reynolds
LF: Matt Adams
CF: Michael A. Taylor
C: Pedro Severino
P: Stephen Strasburg
2B: Wilmer Difo
