A rematch of a highly-competitive 2017 World Series has largely been one-sided, and as a result the Los Angeles Dodgers now face the prospect of being swept by the Houston Astros.
Astros pitching has been dominant through the first two games, combining to hold the Dodgers to just one run on seven hits while accumulating 28 strikeouts. Justin Verlander is responsible for half of those, tying a career high over his 7.2 innings pitched in the series opener.
After the Houston bullpen had to back Lance McCullers Jr. with five innings of work because he was removed due to injury, Gerrit Cole now looks to carry the mantle.
He enters 10-3 with a 2.55 ERA, 2.86 FIP and 0.97 WHIP. Much like Verlander, Cole figures to test the Dodgers with plenty of velocity. He’s familiar with them from having spent five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Though, Sunday’s game is Cole’s first start at Dodger Stadium since Aug. 13, 2016. Cole is a lifetime 3-1 but with a 5.55 ERA in six starts against the Dodgers.
He’s opposed by Walker Buehler, a flamethrower in his own right. The rookie right-hander is coming off a tough-luck loss as he allowed just one run to the Milwaukee Brewers over seven innings.
The outing is Buehler’s third start since returning from a microfracture in his ribs. Buehler was an early candidate for National League Rookie of the Year before injury threw his season off course.
Joc Pederson returns to the Dodgers lineup with an opportunity to extend his streak of leading off with a home run to three games. Pederson and Carl Furillo are the only Dodgers players to hit a leadoff home run in back-to-back games.
Dodgers:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Manny Machado
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Brian Dozier
1B: Max Muncy
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Kiké Hernandez
P: Walker Buehler
Astros lineup:
CF: George Springer
RF: Josh Reddick
SS: Alex Bregman
2B: Marwin Gonzalez
1B: Tyler White
3B: J.D. Davis
C: Max Stassi
LF: Tony Kemp
P: Gerrit Cole
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