The Los Angeles Dodgers began their six-game road trip in celebratory fashion by clinching their seventh consecutive National League West title, which was followed by a bit of a letdown and loss to the Baltimore Orioles the following night.
Now the Dodgers head into the finale at Oriole Park at Camden Yards needing a win to avoid losing the series to one of the worst teams in baseball. Although Justin Turner remains out of the lineup because of left ankle trouble, the Dodgers welcome back Rich Hill.
He was activated off the 60-day injured list and makes his first start since June 19. Hill had been sidelined by a strained flexor tendon in his left forearm and returns after completing a throwing program without any setbacks.
Hill is 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 starts this season. Thursday’s game is expected to be one of four outings this month for the veteran left-hander as he builds up to becoming the Dodgers’ fourth starter in the postseason.
Hill is only expected to pitch two innings and be followed by Tony Gonsolin who will serve as the long man of sorts.
As for Turner, he’s missing a fourth consecutive game due to a sore ankle. He underwent an X-ray that was inconclusive, which prompted an MRI that revealed a mild ankle sprain. Matt Beaty starts at third base in Turner’s place.
Beaty and the Dodgers face Dylan Bundy, who is pitching on an extra day of rest. That’s been a common theme and of benefit for the right-hander this season, as he’s 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA when starting on five days’ rest.
Overall, Bundy is 6-13 with a 5.06 ERA, 4.91 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 27 starts this season.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Joc Pederson
3B: Matt Beaty
DH: AJ Pollock
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
CF: Kiké Hernandez
C: Russell Martin
Orioles lineup:
2B: Hanser Alberto
SS: Jonathan Villar
1B: Trey Mancini
LF: Anthony Santander
DH: Renato Núñez
CF: Austin Hays
RF: DJ Stewart
C: Pedro Severino
3B: Rio Ruiz
