The Los Angeles Dodgers are left needing to pick themselves up off the floor and go for a big win in the National League race with the Milwaukee Brewers.
On Thursday, the Dodgers got just four hits and, through some Muncy magic, generated four runs with his three-run home run. It was enough to beat the Brewers, who were stifled by Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers’ bullpen up until the ninth inning.
Then, Edwin Diaz came in the game, looking to build himself back up and get a save, and cost the team a needed win by allowing three runs, the last of which came on a run that he left on the bases when he exited after getting two outs.
The Dodgers will look to turn the page by either getting better high-leverage pitching in the latter stages of the game or adding more run support to ease pressure on the pitching staff.
The series is still in the balance for LA, and they will need to win the next three to close the gap on the Brewers in the NL standings.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Brewers
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Andy Pages, CF
3. Teoscar Hernandez, LF
4. Mookie Betts, SS
5. Tommy Edman, 2B
6. Kyle Tucker, RF
7. Max Muncy, 3B
8. Kike Hernandez, 1B
9. Hunter Feduccia, C
After a game where the offense was so bad, Mookie Betts’ return to the order will inspire some hope given his swing of late.
The Dodgers are facing a lefty in Robert Gasser, who has a 4.57 ERA, and LA is in the bottom 10 of MLB against left-handed pitching over the last two weeks.
However, one of the team’s steadiest hitters, Freddie Freeman, will be getting a rest day, and it will be a notable loss for the lineup.
In his place steps in Kike Hernandez, who plays everywhere, and he will look to get his bat going after coming off the injured list.
Who is pitching for the Dodgers today?
The Dodgers get their ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, on the mound. He has been battling an illness recently, with it still lingering a bit over the past week, though he should be somewhat close to full strength now.
Yamamoto will give the bullpen a break after a run of consecutive games, aiming for seven innings of work.
He excels at keeping his pitch count down and limiting runs alongside that, and the Brewers, while aggressive, should give him chances to get through innings quickly.