J.D. Martinez was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for a fourth time since the end of July. He returned Tuesday after missing one week of games due to a nagging left groin/adductor injury.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan was for Martinez to start five games in a row before getting a day off in the finale of the upcoming series against the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers were hopeful an epidural Martinez received would keep him healthy for the remainder of the season.
Even without their starting designated hitter for much of the stretch, the Dodgers have been on a tear both during August and their current homestand, and have a chance to keep their momentum going with a series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers are 14-1 this month and riding a season-best 10-game winning streak. The longest winning streak in Dodgers franchise history is 15 games, set in 1924 by the Brooklyn Robins. As for Los Angeles franchise history, the longest winning streak is 13 by the 1965 team that went on to win the World Series.
Lance Lynn takes the mound Thursday night in search of his fourth win in as many starts with the Dodgers. It has been a tale of two cities for Lynn, who was 6-9 with a 6.49 ERA and 1.46 WHIP for the Chicago White Sox. The best of times have come in a Dodgers uniform, as he is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP since the trade.
“I’ve been pretty decent in my career. The first half wasn’t any good and right now I’m in a good spot,” Lynn said after his start last week. “Like I said, working well with the catchers and offense is scoring runs, so it makes it easy to pitch.”
The Brewers counter with former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, who has been in good in 2023, but perhaps not by his own standards. He comes in with a 9-6 record, 3.60 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
Burnes’ strikeout rate is lower than it has been since his rise to prominence, and his walk rate has also increased from years past. Burnes’ numbers are still good by league standards, just not as elite as they once were.
Few teams have hit Burnes well throughout his career, but the Dodgers are one of them. He is 2-2 against L.A. with an 8.50 ERA. The Dodgers have slashed .329/.407/.605 against Burnes thus far.
Dodgers with good history against Burnes include Jason Heyward, who is 4-for-12 with a home run, and Freddie Freeman who is 3-for-8.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: David Peralta
DH: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
RF: Jason Heyward
CF: James Outman
SS: Kiké Hernández
C: Austin Barnes
Brewers lineup
LF: Christian Yelich
DH: William Contreras
1B: Carlos Santana
CF: Sal Frelick
SS: Willy Adames
3B: Andruw Monasterio
C: Victor Caratini
2B: Brice Turang
RF: Tyrone Taylor
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