The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night with their magic number to secure home-field advantage through the World Series down to one.
The Dodgers are in the midst of a record-setting season but one in which they are just 8-5 against the Rockies thus far.
Trayce Thompson is back in the Dodgers lineup one night after getting scratched because he needed to step away from the team to tend to a personal matter. Thompson is starting as the designated hitter and batting fifth.
Justin Turner misses a third consecutive game as he continues to deal with lingering swelling in his left shin that is a result of a foul ball on Sept. 20.
On the mound, Clayton Kershaw makes his penultimate start. He next would pitch on the final day of the regular season and is lined up to take the ball in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said such a decision has not been finalized.
Kershaw enters 10-3 with a 2.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 20 starts. Kershaw has twice faced the Rockies this season and they’ve been somewhat bumpy outings as he’s allowed a combined 11 runs (nine earned) in those outings.
The Rockies counter with Chad Kuhl, who is 6-10 with a 5.45 ERA. The right-hander started against the Dodgers on July 29, and allowed five runs on six hits, including two homers, in just 3.2 innings pitched at Dodger Stadium.
With a 54-21 record at home this season, the Dodgers could finish with the most wins at Dodger Stadium in franchise history by sweeping the homestand.
The 2019 Dodgers went a franchise-best 59-22 at Dodger Stadium. They broke the record set by the 2017 Dodgers club that won 57 games at home.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Trayce Thompson
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
Rockies lineup
CF: Yonathan Daza
DH: José Iglesias
3B: Ryan McMahon
1B: C.J. Cron
2B: Brendan Rodgers
LF: Sean Bouchard
C: Elias Díaz
SS: Ezequial Tovar
RF: Michael Toglia
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