The Los Angeles Dodgers had their five-game winning streak snapped and now look to avoid a series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber match at Dodger Stadium.
Sunday’s game is also the finale of what’s been a Lakers Weekend, as the Dodgers held a drone show on Friday night to celebrate the iconic NBA franchise, and welcomed retired players to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday. For the series finale, fans are receiving a Kobe Bryant Dodgers jersey set to a black mamba design.
As for matters on the field, the Dodgers hand the ball to Gavin Stone for his 24th start of the season. Stone has put together back-to-back encouraging outings after going through some struggles.
The right-hander was particularly impressive his last time out, as Stone set a career high with nine strikeouts over seven shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners.
Overall this season, Stone is 11-5 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He’s the only Dodgers starting pitcher to win at least 10 games this year.
Jacob Lopez is filling an opener role with his first start and fourth overall appearance of the season. Lopez also started one of his four games last year.
The left-hander has an 8.44 ERA and 1.50 WHIP this season, and was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
Lopez is starting in place of Shane Baz, who is under the weather with a flu-like illness.
Hunter Feduccia is in the Dodgers lineup for his first career start. Feduccia is in his second stint with the team this season due to Austin Barnes going on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left big toe.
Feduccia is hitless in one pinch-hit at-bat during his young Major League career thus far.
Shohei Ohtani is up to 41 home runs and 40 stolen bases as he looks to become the first player in MLB history to have a 50-50 season. Should Ohtani have to settle for 45 homers and 45 steals, that too would represent an MLB first.
Ohtani has hit a home run in each of the first two games against the Rays.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
SS: Tommy Edman
3B: Max Muncy
CF: Kiké Hernández
C: Hunter Feduccia
2B: Chris Taylor
Rays lineup
DH: Yandy Díaz
1B: Brandon Lowe
3B: Junior Caminero
LF: Josh Lowe
RF: Jonny DeLuca
C: Ben Rortvedt
2B: José Caballero
SS: Taylor Walls
CF: Jose Siri
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