The Los Angeles Dodgers start their road trip against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, facing a familiar face in Noah Syndergaard.
Syndergaard was traded to the Guardians for Amed Rosario and cash considerations on July 26, bringing an end to a disastrous season with the Dodgers. Syndergaard went 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, and his 66 ERA+ was the worst showing of his career.
As a member of the Guardians, Syndergaard is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over four starts. In those 21 innings he has given up 25 hits and six home runs.
He faces a Dodgers lineup that includes Michael Busch, who was recalled Tuesday as the corresponding move to J.D. Martinez being placed on the 10-day injured list due to left groin tightness.
Jason Heyward is also in the lineup after missing both games of Saturday’s doubleheader because of hip/glute/hamstring soreness. Heyward was removed from the series opener against the Miami Marlins because of the minor hip issue.
On the pitching front for the Dodgers, Bobby Miller enters with a 7-2 record, 3.70 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Over his last two starts, Miller has has been impressive by pitching 12 innings with eight strikeouts and only one run allowed. Miller has made 14 starts during his rookie season and posted a 118 ERA+.
The Dodgers start their road trip 17-2 in the month of August. They have quickly run away with the National League West division, holding a 12-game lead over the San Francisco Giants entering play Tuesday.
The Guardians are 59-66 this season, and their successes have mostly come thanks to having the third-best team ERA. They currently have four active starting pitchers whose ERA+ are above 100 and an elite bullpen, anchored by Emmanual Clase. They beat teams with their pitching.
What the Guardians do not do as much, is score runs. They are ranked 28th in runs scored, 29th in slugging percentage and last in home runs.
Kole Calhoun is in the Guardians lineup as he’s carved out a regular role since playing for Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this season before getting traded.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
LF: David Peralta
RF: Jason Heyward
CF: James Outman
DH: Michael Busch
SS: Miguel Rojas
Guardians lineup
LF: Steven Kwan
3B: José Ramírez
1B: Kole Calhoun
DH: Oscar Gonzalez
2B: Andrés Giménez
SS: Gabriel Arias
RF: Will Brennan
C: Bo Naylor
CF: Myles Straw
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