After evening up the four-game series behind an impressive offensive showing, the Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to make it two in a row when they host the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Though they picked up a win in Thursday’s opener, the Nationals have struggled over the last week and a half of play, posting a disappointing 3-7 record in their last 10 games.
Walker Buehler makes his eighth start of the season and looks to improve on his perfect 4-0 record. He was dominant in his last outing against the Atlanta Braves on May 6, yielding only three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings pitched.
Buehler enters with a 4.95 ERA, 3.62 FIP and 1.10 WHIP in 36.1 innings on the year. The right-hander has never started against the Nationals in his career, although he did face them once in a relief appearance during the 2017 season.
Washington counters with Max Scherzer, who continues to pitch at an elite level despite his club’s overall struggles this season. He enters with a 1-4 record and 3.78 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched, but additionally leads the National League in strikeouts (72) and FIP (1.94).
Scherzer was tabbed with a tough-luck no-decision in his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing just two runs (one earned) in six innings of work while recording 10 strikeouts.
In his career against the Dodgers, the 34-year-old owns a lifetime 4-4 record, 2.77 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 85 strikeouts compared to 19 walks over 74.2 innings pitched (13 games, 11 starts).
Dating back to the 2014 season, Scherzer has accumulated a 3-1 record with a 1.58 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 40 innings against Los Angeles (six starts).
Corey Seager returns to the Dodgers’ lineup after being a late scratch Friday night so he could tend to an undisclosed personal matter.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Alex Verdugo
2B: Kiké Hernandez
C: Austin Barnes
P: Walker Buehler
Nationals lineup:
RF: Adam Eaton
CF: Victor Robles
LF: Juan Soto
3B: Anthony Rendon
1B: Gerardo Parra
2B: Brian Dozier
C: Yan Gomes
SS: Wilmer Difo
P: Max Scherzer
