The Los Angeles Dodgers, after sweeping against the Kansas City Royals, host the Milwaukee Brewers for a four-game series starting Thursday.
Their series win against the Royals served as a good momentum builder following a terrible run of form, and they now face a much bigger challenge against the Brewers. The Brewers currently hold the best record in baseball at 74-47—though the Dodgers beat them in each of their last two meetings.
The Dodgers last faced the Brewers in Milwaukee in May, winning the final two games of the series by scores of 11-3 and 5-1.
Now, with this four-game set, the Dodgers hope to jump back into a top two seed in the National League as they look for a bye in the Wild Card round.
Who is Pitching For the Dodgers Against the Brewers?
Thursday, Aug. 13
Roki Sasaki starts the first game of the series for the Dodgers, and will aim to get them off on the right foot amid his strong run of form since the All-Star break. Through his last four appearances, Sasaki has thrown 24 innings and allowed just six runs throughout, striking out 26 batters.
On the year, he has a 4.54 ERA, which has dropped from 5.33 over the past month.
He will face southpaw Shane Drohan on the mound, who is enjoying a solid rookie season in Milwaukee. He has made 23 appearances this year, stirking out 93 batters in as many innings with a 3.87 ERA.
Friday, Aug. 14
Yoshinobu Yamamoto follows Roki Sasaki in the order, and will start the second game of the series. Yamamoto has been solid in August for the Dodgers, pitching 13.2 innings and allowing three runs for a 1.98 ERA with nine strikeouts.
His ERA for the season isn’t much higher, as he has a 2.65 mark on the year.
Robert Gasser starts for the Brewers, and LA will look to take advantage of one of the few weak links in the Brewers’ pitching staff. He has a 4.57 ERA this year, pitching 67 innings across 13 starts.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Justin Wrobleski will start for the Dodgers in the third game of the series, looking to bounce back after three consecutive disappointing starts for LA. The southpaw has allowed 16 runs over his last three starts, as well as nine home runs.
His last outing came against the Arizona Cardinals, where he allowed four runs through just 3.1 innings pitched.
Wrobleski won’t have an easy task, either, as the Dodgers are set to face off against NL Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski in the third game of the set. Misiorowski’s dominant fastball has led him to a 1.76 ERA and 204 strikeouts with a month and a half still remaining in the season.
Sunday, Aug. 16
The Dodgers look to finish strong in the series, as Tarik Skubal will make his third start as a Dodger in the day game. Skubal hasn’t looked his best through two starts as a Dodger, posting a 4.09 ERA through 11 innings, but is still one of the best pitchers in the game.
He faces off against Logan Henderson, who is having a solid season for the Brewers so far. Through 11 starts for Milwaukee, the right-hander has a 2.88 ERA while striking out 69 batters through just 56.1 innings.