Now that the 2020 MLB trade deadline has passed, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to the field Tuesday night to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers are welcoming a Diamondbacks team to town that has been scuffling, losers of 10 of their last 11 to fall to last place in the National League West. That forced them to be sellers at the trade deadline, dealing away key players like Starling Marter, Robbie Ray and Archie Bradley.
Nevertheless, there is still talent on the Diamondbacks roster and some time to get back into the postseason race.
In the series opener, they are facing Julio Urias, who has been inconsistent for much of this season. In six starts, Urias is 2-0 with a 3.67 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.41 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 10 walks in 27 innings.
The lefty did turn in one of his best starts of the season when he faced the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Aug. 1, allowing five hits and two runs in six innings while striking out five and walking one in six innings to earn a victory.
Urias has lasted just a combined 5.2 innings in his last two starts though, giving up 10 hits and five runs with 11 strikeouts and four walks so he is looking to get back on track.
Arizona is also sending a southpaw to the mound in Alex Young, who is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA, 5.79 FIP and 1.17 WHIP while striking out 24 and walking five in 23 innings across 10 games (three starts) this season.
He came out of the bullpen and faced the Dodgers earlier this season, pitching a combined two innings of one-run ball. He also pitched against L.A. three times (two starts) in his rookie season in 2019, yielding a 5.40 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 10 innings.
Max Muncy has had some success against Young in his career despite it being a left-on-left matchup, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs. After a slow start to the season, Muncy’s bat has come on as of late, slashing .320/.471/.720 with three home runs and eight RBI in his last eight games.
Justin Turner was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 29) due to a left hamstring strain. Edwin Rios was activated as a the corresponding move, and he is starting at third base. Cody Bellinger is out of the Dodgers lineup.
Alex Wood is also back on the active roster, though is poised to fill a role out of the bullpen. He made one start this season prior to being sidelined by left shoulder inflammation.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
DH: AJ Pollock
1B: Max Muncy
CF: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
LF: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Edwin Rios
2B: Gavin Lux
Diamondbacks lineup
LF: Tim Locastro
2B: Ketel Marte
1B: Christian Walker
3B: Eduardo Escobar
RF: Kole Calhoun
SS: Nick Ahmed
DH: Andy Young
CF: Daulton Varsho
C: Carson Kelly
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