After splitting the first two games of the series, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox meet in a rubber match on Clayton Kershaw bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner logged six innings in the Dodgers’ 8-4 loss on Wednesday, but didn’t factor into the decision. L.A. now sends Michael Grove to the mound for the sixth start of his MLB career.
Grove served as the bulk pitcher in his last game against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 9, which marked the first time he followed an opener at the Major League level.
Grove allowed four runs and seven hits in four innings of work, but didn’t blame his struggles on the unorthodox appearance. He enters play with an 0-2 record, 8.28 ERA, 4.60 FIP and 1.60 WHIP in 25 innings pitched this season (seven games).
The White Sox counter with Dylan Cease, who looks to build on a strong start against the Miami Marlins. He gave up one run on four hits and collected seven strikeouts in six innings pitched.
Cease, who finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting last season, has posted a 3-3 record, 4.38 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 1.34 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine in 14 starts this year.
Cease threw 4.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in his only career start against the Dodgers during the 2022 season.
Max Muncy remains out of the Dodgers lineup as he is still on the mend of a minor left hamstring strain. Muncy’s injury was originally reported as a Grade 2 strain, but manager Dave Roberts said he misspoke.
J.D. Martinez also isn’t playing as Roberts wanted to give the veteran designated hitter a night off amid some scuffling.
“J.D. is fine. I just felt that he essentially plays every day and I felt it was good for him to sit back and watch a big league ballgame,” Roberts said. “The last few games for him clearly have been a grind, so I think it’s OK to give him a little respite and get somebody else in there.”
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: Jason Heyward
LF: David Peralta
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
3B: Chris Taylor
SS: Miguel Rojas
White Sox lineup
SS: Tim Anderson
RF: Gavin Sheets
CF: Luis Robert Jr.
DH: Eloy Jiménez
3B: Jake Burger
1B: Andrew Vaughn
C: Yasmani Grandal
LF: Clint Frazier
2B: Elvis Andrus
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