The Los Angeles Dodgers were shut out for the first time this season but still came away with another series win and now begin the final leg of their 10-game road trip.
After failing to capitalize on several opportunities in the finale against the Washington Nationals, the Dodgers look to get right with their regular lineup largely in place for yet another matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers’ worst offensive day also coincided with an off day for Mookie Betts, which drew some criticism of manager Dave Roberts given the hot streak the 2018 American League MVP is on. Betts is back in the lineup Thursday, as is Cody Bellinger after being limitd due to feeling under the weather.
L.A. enters play at 29-14 and with a 1.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West standings. The Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium from May 16-18, which included a doubleheader.
However, the Diamondbacks won two of three when the teams last met at Chase Field in April.
Mitch White gets the start in what will likely be another short outing for the right-hander. In six games this season White is 1-0 with a 6.17 ERA over 11.2 innings pitched.
In his prior outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, White allowed three earned runs over just 2.1 innings. That start was White’s first of the year.
The Diamondbacks counter with Humberto Castellanos, who is 3-1 with a 4.29 ERA and has only registered 26 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. The 24-year-old has allowed five home runs in his last three starts and because of his whiff rate (10th percentile) and chase rate (18th percentile), the Dodgers offense should be able to do some damage.
Castellanos has allowed opposing hitters to post a .250 batting average and really struggled to find success with both his sinker and curveball. He leans on the sinker, which is hit at a .286 clip, and his curveball at .321, but the slider has given hitters trouble with a .147 batting average.
Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman remain the only Dodgers who have started every game this season. Turner is carrying a 17-game hitting streak, which is his second-longest stretch since being traded to the Dodgers last year.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
C: Will Smith
DH: Edwin Ríos
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
Diamondbacks lineup
C: Daulton Varsho
3B: Josh Rojas
2B: Ketel Marte
DH: Christian Walker
LF: David Peralta
1B: Pavin Smith
RF: Jak McCarthy
CF: Alek Thomas
SS: Geraldo Perdomo
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